18F

18F - Design Hypothesis

Turn your work into a testable hypothesis. This focuses effort on achieving specific goals. It shifts thinking from just building to ensuring impact.

Duration
1 hour
Group Size
3-6
Category
18F
Difficulty
Easy
Energy
Medium

Objectives

Collaborative hypothesis building aligns teams on goals and purpose. It promotes flexibility. If an approach fails, the team can adapt and iterate.

Outcomes


  • Testable hypotheses

  • Clear assumptions

  • Experimentation framework

Step-by-Step Instructions


  1. Define the problem as a team.

  2. Structure the hypothesis:

We believe that doing/building/creating [this] for [this user] will result in [this outcome].
We'll know we're right when we see [this metric/signal].

  1. Consider potential harm:

But, this could be harmful for [this user] if [this outcome happens].

  1. Test the hypothesis at a user touchpoint. Refine based on results.

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Facilitator Tips

Acknowledge that initial hypotheses might miss the mark. Use failures as learning opportunities. Government Considerations: No Public Records Act implications; no data collected from the public.

Pre-Work

For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

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Materials Required


  • Hypothesis templates

  • Research data

  • Sticky notes

  • Validation framework

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Resources & Templates

Design Hypothesis Template
Template for writing testable design hypotheses.

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Discussion

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