Miracle Question
The Miracle Question is a solution-focused facilitation technique that invites participants to imagine a future in which the problem has already been solved — without analysing how that happened. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in solution-focused brief therapy, it bypasses problem-saturated thinking and opens up vivid, concrete descriptions of a desired state. In group facilitation, it is a powerful tool for visioning, goal-setting, and breaking through impasse.
How to run it
- 1
Create a calm, reflective moment — slow the pace, invite people to take a breath or close their eyes briefly.
- 2
Pose the miracle question slowly and clearly: 'Imagine that tonight, while you are asleep, a miracle happens. The problem we have been working on is completely solved. You wake up tomorrow — but you don't know the miracle has happened yet. What is the first thing you would notice that tells you something has changed?'
- 3
Give participants 3–5 minutes to write their answers individually before sharing — protect the quality of individual reflection.
- 4
Invite sharing in pairs or small groups first, then collect key themes in the plenary.
- 5
Ask follow-up questions to make the vision concrete: 'Who else would notice? What would they see you doing differently? What small sign would appear first?'
- 6
Use the responses to identify shared desired outcomes and convert them into actionable goals or next steps.
- 7
Close by asking: 'What is already partially true today? What small steps could make this more real?'
Tips
Deliver the question slowly, with deliberate pauses — rushing it kills the reflective quality.
The power is in the follow-up probing, not the initial answer. Push for specificity: sights, sounds, behaviours.
In groups, watch for immediately jumping to 'how' — gently redirect: 'We'll get to the how; first let's really see the what.'
Works beautifully as a visioning opener before a strategic planning session.
For teams blocked in conflict, the miracle question can reveal surprising alignment on what 'good' actually looks like.
Variations
Team version: ask each person to write their miracle scenario, then combine them on a shared wall to identify overlapping elements — the overlaps become the shared vision. Remote version: use an anonymous digital board (Mentimeter, Miro) so all answers appear simultaneously without groupthink. Simplified version for shorter sessions: 'Imagine this problem is solved six months from now — what does your working day look like?'
Where it fits
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Miracle Question?▾
Use Miracle Question when you want to: strategic visioning; team goal-setting; conflict mediation; innovation workshops; leadership coaching circles.
How long does Miracle Question take?▾
Miracle Question typically takes 20–60 minutes.
How many participants does Miracle Question work for?▾
Miracle Question works best for groups of 2–20 participants.
What materials do I need for Miracle Question?▾
To run Miracle Question you will need: Notepads or sticky notes.
How difficult is Miracle Question to facilitate?▾
Miracle Question is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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