Framework Thinking | Ask Questions

Formulating effective questions lies at the core of critical thinking. Here's a helpful process for doing so.

​Asking ourselves questions is an excellent way to reflect on our thoughts, analyze situations, and examine our own observations. This is known as having a "think-again" mindset. Before making any decision, it is important to ask ourselves questions to avoid bias and think thoroughly.

• Questions to Ask | Before Making a Purchase
• Questions to Ask | When Making Decisions​
• ​​Questions to Ask | When Performing Stakeholder Analysis
• Questions to Ask | How to Ask What If Questions
• Questions to Ask | Before Starting a Major Software Development Project
• Questions to Ask | During Project Manager's Morning Routine
• Questions to Ask | When Evaluating Risks

In addition to asking questions to ourselves, there are also several scenarios where we can ask questions to communicate with others. 

• We can ask domain experts for advice. It is best practice to listen to what they say, especially if they are experts in the field. ​
  • ​Questions to Ask | How to Ask for Advice
  • Questions to Ask | When Exploring Organization Culture​
• We can ask for clarification to better understand what is being said. This is part of the active listening approach
  • ​Questions to Ask | Talk to Your Boss​
  • Questions to Ask | When Positioning a Product
  • Questions to Ask | After Sr Leader Presents the Organization Vision
• We can ask questions to reject someone's point of view. Instead of giving our own conclusion, we can ask questions to help people think and give feedback gently
  • Questions to Ask | When We Don't Agree​ 
  • Questions to Ask | How to Avoid Confirmation Bias
• Sometimes, asking questions can also be a suggestion. We can ask to influence and lead the team. 
  • Questions to Ask | How to Avoid Group Bias
  • Questions to Ask | When Communicating Organization Visions

Search “Questions to Ask” to find out more of our collected good questions. ​​

Resources​

• HBR, ​Critical Thinking Is About Asking Better Questions