Have you ever been asked to build the next big thing, increase sales, or find ways to reduce costs? I certainly have. It’s that classic "deer in the headlights" moment where you need to quickly nod in agreement and figure out where to start. Instead of jumping straight into feature requests or responding with unknowns and unsure answers, consider weaving a human-centered connection. This approach helps you start unpacking and validating your path forward effectively.

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So, where do you begin? With a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is a simple and structured way to outline:

• What solution or outcome you intend to create
• Who will be impacted
• Why - the Human Benefit
• Why - the Business Outcome

Starting with a hypothesis is beneficial because it can be created quickly and with minimal upfront measurement or research. It’s like setting your compass before embarking on a journey. If you have already done the research, you can seamlessly move into your Problem Statement Space.

Here’s why a hypothesis is your best starting point:

1. Clarity and Focus: A hypothesis helps you define the problem clearly. Instead of getting lost in a sea of potential features or ideas, you zero in on what truly matters.
2. Human-Centered Approach: By considering who will be impacted and why, you ensure that your solution is aligned with real human needs. This is the essence of design thinking – keeping the user at the heart of everything.
3. Business Alignment: Understanding the business outcome ensures that your solution is not only desirable but also viable and feasible. It’s about finding that sweet spot where human needs and business goals intersect.
4. Quick and Adaptable: Creating a hypothesis is quick and doesn’t require extensive research upfront. This makes it flexible and easy to adjust as you gather more insights and validate your assumptions.

Here’s a simple template to get you started:

• What: [Describe the solution or outcome you intend to create]
• Who: [Identify who will be impacted by this solution]
• Why (Human Benefit): [Explain the benefit to the user or customer]
• Why (Business Outcome): [Explain the benefit to the business]

For example:

• What: Develop a mobile app that helps users manage their finances more efficiently.
• Who: Busy professionals aged 25-40.
• Why (Human Benefit): To provide a simple and effective way for users to track their spending and savings.
• Why (Business Outcome): Increase customer engagement and retention, leading to higher subscription rates.

By starting with a hypothesis, you organize your thoughts early on and set the stage for a more focused and validated solution development process. This fundamental step ensures that your solutions are aligned with your intended human and business outcomes.

So next time you’re faced with that daunting request, remember to start with a hypothesis. It’s your roadmap to creating meaningful, human-centered solutions that drive real results. Happy hypothesizing!

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