tomevault-io 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.
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