The Seven So-Whats is a powerful critical thinking framework designed to explore the potential consequences and implications of an idea. By consistently asking "So what?" we move beyond a superficial understanding of a solution's impact to uncover potential ripple effects, whether positive or negative.

The origin of the general "So What?" question is often traced to educational and strategic reflection models, such as Terry Borton's "What, So What, Now What" framework from the 1970s.

This helps teams:

• Create actionable insights: It transforms static information into a clear call to action, ensuring that every discovery has a purpose.
• Explore consequences: It forces you to think systematically about the downstream effects of an idea, preventing you from being blindsided by unintended outcomes.
• Build a culture of ownership: It encourages team members to take responsibility for turning insights into results, fostering a proactive and accountable environment.
• Improve decision-making: By connecting findings to their implications, teams can make more informed and strategic decisions.

1. State your idea or recommendation.
2. Ask the first "So what?": What is the immediate consequence of this action? Write down the answer.
3. Repeat the process six more times: Take the previous consequence and ask, "So what?" again. This forces you to think about the downstream effects of each answer, peeling back the layers of a decision's impact.

By the end of the process, you'll have a much more comprehensive understanding of your initial idea's consequences, leading to more robust and well-considered decisions.