Assumption Mapping is one of the most useful tools for people setting up a project or looking to build a startup or new venture. It helps prioritise your time by identifying and focusing on the core assumptions you are making about your idea so that you can then isolate each one and test it so it becomes a validated assumption (a ‘known’).
When you think about or talk about your idea think about all the times you say ‘I think’ rather than ‘I know’. For example: “I think my customer is mostly using Instagram rather than Facebook”.
These are called assumptions - they may come from anything related to the idea such as your customer, where to reach them, what their problem or issue is, how you are solving the problem for them, or your solution.
You can list these assumptions out and plot them on an assumption map with the axis known/unknown, and how important it is to your business. It is useful to list your assumptions and place them on sticky notes so that you can reposition them as you continue to validate your idea and assumptions.
Once you have plotted your assumptions onto the axis, you can prioritise your efforts in the section that has important, unknowns (top right). Figuring out these “important unknowns” helps you de-risk - making it safer for you to keep building your startup.
Next, you can choose something to derisk, and isolate a singular assumption to validate. By separating each assumption out, you can then think of a mini experiment or test to validate that thing.
Whether that's through doing a few more customer interviews, creating a prototype to observe how someone uses it or using a fake door test. You could also try using Test cards to help frame these experiments.
If you are looking to startup your idea or get stuck- head to the Meet with us section of our website and book a free 15-minute chat and we can help you with some useful next steps.