# Hypothesis Tree

> Break ambiguous questions into mutually useful hypotheses and tests. Use when validating product ideas, debugging uncertain causes, planning research, prioritizing experiments, or turning strategy questions into evidence plans; avoid for root-cause chains needing Five Whys.

- Skill: `flpbalada/hypothesis-tree` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add flpbalada/hypothesis-tree`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/flpbalada/hypothesis-tree/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: flpbalada (https://skillmd.com/u/flpbalada)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/flpbalada/hypothesis-tree

---


# Hypothesis Tree

Break a broad question into testable branches.
Use MECE where practical.

## Goal

- Turn vague problem into clear question.
- Generate possible explanations.
- Make hypotheses testable.
- Prioritize what to test first.

## Rules

- Start with a specific measurable question.
- Branches should not overlap.
- Branches should cover likely causes.
- Stop decomposing when hypothesis can be tested.
- Prefer 2-3 levels deep.
- Update tree when evidence arrives.
- Avoid proving favorite hypothesis.

## Strong hypothesis

- Specific.
- Testable.
- Falsifiable.
- Actionable.
- Has clear evidence needed.

## Flow

1. Convert vague concern into central question.
2. Create first-level cause categories.
3. Check for overlap and gaps.
4. Decompose each category into testable hypotheses.
5. List current evidence.
6. Prioritize by impact, effort, and uncertainty.
7. Define test plan.

## Example

```text
Question: Why is signup conversion below 30%?
- Awareness: users do not understand value.
- Motivation: benefit does not outweigh effort.
- Ability: signup is too hard.
- Technical: bugs block completion.
```

## Resources

- [The Pyramid Principle - Barbara Minto](https://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Principle-Logic-Writing-Thinking/dp/0273710516)
- [Bulletproof Problem Solving - Charles Conn](https://www.amazon.com/Bulletproof-Problem-Solving-Changes-Everything/dp/1119553024)

## Output

```md
## Hypothesis Tree

Question: [specific question]

## Branches
- H1: [hypothesis]
  - H1.1: [testable sub-hypothesis]
- H2: [hypothesis]
  - H2.1: [testable sub-hypothesis]

## Priority Tests
- [hypothesis]: [test], [effort], [impact], [owner if known]

## Evidence
- [known evidence]
- [unknowns]
```