AJ&Smart's Lightning Decision Jam separates silent problem notes, dot voting, HMW reframing, silent solutions, another vote, effort-impact decision, and test planning. The decider resolves ties.

1. 1

   Problems

   Problems

   

   Goal

   Produce problem wall so “Which most important problem will we address with which solution as the next experiment?” can be answered with evidence.

   Inputs for this step

   • Concrete work context

   Actions

   • Write problems silently, read them out, and collect without debate.
   • Mark evidence, assumption, and open question directly.

   Output

   problem wall

   problem wall with evidence, owner, and next decision.

   Quality check

   Are problems concrete and solution-free?

   Pitfall

   Discussion begins before silent collection is complete. Restart the timer and complete silently.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes

2. 2

   Priority

   Priority

   

   Goal

   Produce top problem so “Which most important problem will we address with which solution as the next experiment?” can be answered with evidence.

   Inputs for this step

   • problem wall

   Actions

   • Run dot voting and let the decider resolve ties.
   • Mark evidence, assumption, and open question directly.

   Output

   top problem

   top problem with evidence, owner, and next decision.

   Quality check

   Is exactly one problem selected for the next step?

   Pitfall

   Votes are treated as consensus or proof. Document authority and minority concerns.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes

3. 3

   HMW question

   HMW question

   

   Goal

   Produce HMW question so “Which most important problem will we address with which solution as the next experiment?” can be answered with evidence.

   Inputs for this step

   • top problem

   Actions

   • Reframe the top problem positively and solution-neutrally as How Might We.
   • Mark evidence, assumption, and open question directly.

   Output

   HMW question

   HMW question with evidence, owner, and next decision.

   Quality check

   Does the question allow several solutions?

   Pitfall

   The HMW question already contains the favourite feature. Remove solution nouns and name desired impact.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes

4. 4

   Solutions

   Solutions

   

   Goal

   Produce solution portfolio so “Which most important problem will we address with which solution as the next experiment?” can be answered with evidence.

   Inputs for this step

   • HMW question

   Actions

   • Sketch solutions silently, vote, and choose top ideas.
   • Mark evidence, assumption, and open question directly.

   Output

   solution portfolio

   solution portfolio with evidence, owner, and next decision.

   Quality check

   Are solutions concrete enough for effort/impact?

   Pitfall

   Verbally promoted ideas win through presentation skill. Equalise explanation time and vote on the note.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes

5. 5

   Effort/impact

   Effort/impact

   

   Goal

   Produce experiment card so “Which most important problem will we address with which solution as the next experiment?” can be answered with evidence.

   Inputs for this step

   • solution portfolio

   Actions

   • Place top solutions on effort/impact and plan a test with a threshold.
   • Mark evidence, assumption, and open question directly.

   Output

   experiment card

   experiment card with evidence, owner, and next decision.

   Quality check

   Does the experiment define behaviour, threshold, and guardrail?

   Pitfall

   The winner becomes an implementation project immediately. Test small first and preset the next decision.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes