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Idea · Shape your solution
Is This Idea Worth Pursuing?
Separate facts from guesses and decide whether it deserves a test.
- Workbook
- 7 pages
- About 90 minutes to fill in
- Google Docs · Word · PDF
Making this yourself would take about 7 hours: working out the steps, writing the examples and setting it up in Google, Microsoft and PDF. It's done for you.
This document
Is This Idea Worth Pursuing?, all three formats
$7
Idea pack
This one plus 1 more Idea document
$10
The voice in this video is George's, made with AI.
What it's for
You've talked to real people about a problem and you have one idea for solving it. Use it to decide whether the idea deserves a small, cheap test before you spend real time or money.
What you'll need: About 90 minutes, your notes from talking to people, and a pen. A free AI tool if you like. Nothing to buy.
Pairs well with
- Is This a Real Problem? (do this first)
- What It Costs to Try (price out the cheapest first version)
- Your First Small Test (the next step)
What you'll leave with
- Your idea, tied to what real people actually told you.
- A short list of guesses your idea depends on, and the one to check first.
- Three different ways to solve the same problem, cheapest first.
- The strongest case against your idea, written by you.
- The smallest test you could run, what each result would mean, and a one-page Idea Decision Brief.
Look inside
How to use it
Work through the steps in order. Each one has a worked example and space to write your own answer.
- Write Down What You LearnedStart from what real people showed you, not the idea you're excited about.
- List What Has to Be TrueWrite the guesses your idea rests on, including the easy-to-miss ones.
- Come Up With Three Different Ways, Cheapest FirstLook past your first idea.
- Argue Against Your Own IdeaWrite the case against it, with a worked example.
- Shrink It to the Smallest TestCut everything you don't need to learn whether it helps.
- Decide What Each Result Will Mean, Before You TestWrite your rules now so you can't change them later.
- Make Your DecisionPick one way forward.
- Tools That Help HereSee the free tools that help.
- Do It With AIUse the prompts to find holes in your idea.
- Your Idea Decision BriefFill in the page you'll carry into your first real-world test.
Tips
- Keep the idea in words as long as you can. Words cost nothing. Logos and websites do.
- The cheapest way to solve the problem is often a good place to start learning.
- Do sections 4 to 6 in one sitting so your rules are set before you get attached.
Three formats, one purchase
- Google DocsMake a copy in your Google Drive and type straight into it.
- Microsoft WordDownload and fill it in on your computer.
- PDFPrint it and fill it in with a pen.
Idea pack
Also in the Idea pack
2 documents in all
Ready to start?
Pay once, keep it, and download it as often as you like.