Example: Identifying what you would have to believe to
accept your hypothesis
Question
Should we launch fee-for-service adult education classes, and if so, what
would a feasible model look like?
Hypothesis
A portion of our constituents would be able to pay fees that cover costs of
the classes and allow our organization to reach more people
Assertion 1
Assertion 2
Assertion 3
Assertion 4
A mixed free/feebased model
would enable us
to serve our
community
We can offer a
value proposition
that
differentiates us
from our
competitors
We have – or can
build –the
capabilities to
launch a mixed
model
A mixed free/feebased model is
financially
sustainable
TBG
Example-of-Hypothesis-Tree
1
Another example: Identifying what you would have to
believe to accept your hypothesis
Question
How can our organization make decisions more quickly and efficiently and
hold each other accountable for execution?
Hypothesis
We need to clarify who does what work in core processes, and identify where
decisions are needed. And we need to build a culture that holds individuals
accountable for results.
Assertion 1
Assertion 2
Assertion 3
Assertion 4
We need to identify
and map key
processes and who
does what work
We can then
identify decision
points and use a
framework (RAPID)
to define decision
roles
We need to agree
on principles for
decision-making
behavior and model
this – at the top
We should pick a
handful of
processes and
decisions and pilot
this – then extend
organization-wide
TBG
Example-of-Hypothesis-Tree
2