Identify and Test Assumptions
Extract assumptions, categorize them, prioritize "leap of faith" assumptions, and design lightweight tests.
When to use
- •After creating opportunities
- •When preparing to generate or downselect solutions
- •Whenever a new idea is proposed and you need to surface risks
Input
- •Prioritized opportunities
- •Early solution sketches
- •Interview snapshots and synthesis
Output
- •Format: Markdown (
.md) - •Location:
assumptions/[topic]/ - •Filename:
assumptions-[opportunity-name]-v[version].md
Key concepts
- •Five categories: Desirability, Usability, Feasibility, Viability, Ethical
- •Assumption Mapping: 2D grid (Evidence Known x Importance)
- •Leap of Faith (LoFA): Maximum 3 assumptions from top-right quadrant (Weak Evidence + More Important)
- •Test Cards: Smallest viable simulation with clear success criteria
Process
- •Prepare context and confirm target opportunity
- •Story map candidate ideas
- •Generate assumptions across five categories
- •Run pre-mortem (prospective hindsight)
- •Walk OST lines (Outcome <-> Opportunity <-> Solution)
- •Normalize, deduplicate, and attach evidence
- •Map and prioritize; select maximum 3 LoFA
- •Design test cards for LoFA
- •Run tests, record results, update the map
- •Decide and proceed
For the full process, output structure, and templates, see references/identify-and-test-assumptions.md.
Follow the writing standards in _shared/writing-standards.md for all outputs.