Question design · 21 October 2026 · Triage team
How we ask it
How our multiple-choice questions give the first conversation a better starting point.
“We need a contractor.” “We need a supplier.” A request can arrive with a solution already attached. The opening conversation is a chance to understand the work behind it.
The wording matters. So do the answers people can choose. Compare the question on the left with how we ask it on the right. Answer our question to reveal the coloured squares.
Try the questions ↓Watch what the answer choices reveal
Each square represents one answer in an illustrative group of 100. On the left, neutral squares show the answers to a familiar question. On the right, blue shades distinguish the answers to the original Triage form.
Illustrative model. The spreads are illustrative examples, not survey results or live votes. Your choice reveals the full spread and highlights your answer; it does not change the percentages. A more even spread is not itself the goal. The aim is to make useful distinctions visible.
01 / The need
What role or service do you need?
- A job title68%
- A service description22%
- Unclear10%
Why this is a bad question
It asks the requester to name a solution before explaining the need. A job title or service label can hide whether they need extra capacity, expertise or a defined piece of work delivered.
02 / The size
How many people do you need?
- One person68%
- A team32%
Why this is a bad question
It asks for a headcount before checking whether the work has been sized. Someone who is guessing gives the same answer as someone who has worked it out, so the conversation misses that uncertainty.
03 / Your involvement
Will you be managing this person day to day?
- Yes74%
- No26%
Why this is a bad question
“This person” assumes an individual is the answer. Yes or no also hides the difference between directing daily tasks, setting weekly priorities and reviewing a finished result.
04 / The nature of the work
What type of resource do you need?
- A person70%
- A team20%
- Advice or expertise10%
Why this is a bad question
It asks the requester to choose a resource before describing the work. The answer does not tell us whether the work needs judgement, follows a repeatable method or combines both.
05 / The stage of the need
Do you already have a supplier or person in mind?
- Yes58%
- No42%
Why this is a bad question
It brings the conversation back to a preferred supplier or person before establishing the stage of the need. Yes or no does not show whether this is early planning, ready to start or already arranged.
Bring the answers together
A more useful starting conversation
Each answer contributes one part of the picture. Together, they give the requester and reviewer something specific to discuss.
Select answers above to build your conversation starter.
The answer options are part of the question
Multiple choice helps when the options describe differences that matter. A requester can distinguish a role from a deliverable, certainty from an estimate, daily direction from taking delivery, and early planning from a decision already made.
A choice still needs context. Two answers may feel close. The work may not fit neatly. That is a reason to ask for an explanation and review the need together.
Design the opening around your work
Question studio helps organisations review what they ask, choose useful answer options and test how people understand them.
Explore Question studio ↗