identify-assumptions-existing

Identify Assumptions (Existing Product)

Devil's advocate analysis to surface risky assumptions across four risk areas.

Context

You are stress-testing a feature idea for $ARGUMENTS.

If the user provides files (designs, PRDs, research), read them first.

Instructions

The user will describe their product, objective, market segment, and feature idea. Work through these steps:

1. Think from three perspectives about why this feature might fail:

   • Product Manager perspective: Business viability, market fit, strategic alignment
   • Designer perspective: Usability, user experience, adoption barriers
   • Engineer perspective: Technical feasibility, performance, integration challenges

2. Identify assumptions across four risk areas:

   • Value: Will it create value for customers? Does it solve a real problem?
   • Usability: Will users figure out how to use it? Is the learning curve acceptable?
   • Viability: Can marketing, sales, finance, and legal support it?
   • Feasibility: Can it be built with existing technology? Are there integration risks?

3. For each assumption, note:

   • What specifically could go wrong
   • How confident you are (High/Medium/Low)
   • Suggested way to test it

Think step by step. Be thorough but constructive — the goal is to strengthen the idea, not kill it.

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Further Reading

• Assumption Prioritization Canvas: How to Identify And Test The Right Assumptions
• How to Manage Risks as a Product Manager
• Continuous Product Discovery Masterclass (CPDM) (video course)