Lesson 1 · Expired assumptions

Lesson 1: Expired assumptions

Reading, discussion and speaking · based on the article “Your Product May Be Running on Expired Assumptions”

Warm-up

Talk about each question for a minute or more.

  • What is one thing in your daily routine that you still do the same way as years ago? Why have you kept it?
  • Think of an app or gadget you use that has hardly changed. Is it still the best choice for you?
  • What did you believe about your job when you started that turned out to be different?

Reading and discussion

Check your understanding

Discuss

  • Which belief behind your product would cause the most trouble if it expired?
  • The author says nobody gets an alert when a product slowly rots. Where could quiet problems hide in your team?
  • Would a short check once in a while work in your company? Why or why not?

Words from the article

Group A

Group B

Phrases

Read the dialogue

Dana: Signups are flat, but the team says everything is fine.

Marco: We made an assumption about new users two years ago, and nobody questioned it.

Dana: Which one?

Marco: Our onboarding relies on the assumption that people read all five steps.

Dana: Today most users skip everything. We should challenge that assumption.

Marco: Agreed. I think it has expired.

Dana: Let's write it down and set an expiry date for it.

Marco: Good idea. We can recheck it every six months.

Tap a card to turn it

Speaking

1. Assumption audit

Choose a feature of your product, a project or a routine. Tell your partner:

  • This … relies on the assumption that …
  • I think it is still true / I am not sure it is still true, because …
  • I would recheck it in …

2. Roleplay: what is this based on?

A presents the situation. B asks: What is it based on? Is it outdated? When did we last recheck it? Then swap roles for the next round.

Round 1. A is a product manager at a food-delivery app. The sign-up flow has five steps and was designed three years ago. Most new users now skip the tutorial.
Round 2 (swap). A is a product manager at a streaming service. The three price plans were set when the main rival charged more. The rival now offers the same features for free.
Round 3 (swap). Invent your own product and the facts. B asks questions and has to be convinced.

3. Free speaking

Pick any assumption from work, home, travel or a hobby and talk about it for as long as you can. Tap each word when you use it.

Words used: 0

Say it from memory

Say the word aloud first, then open the card to check.

Group A

Group B

Homework

Writing

Think of a product, project or routine you know well. Write a short text:

  • Name three assumptions it depends on, one sentence each.
  • Choose the one most at risk of expiring and explain why.
  • Say when you would recheck it.

Use at least five words or phrases from this lesson.

Learn

Study the Quizlet set for this lesson (words and phrases).