19 Nov Assumptions Storm
An assumptions storm is a useful risk exercise for project teams at any stage. Treat it as a “reality check” to uncover what people still don’t know or understand, what people are guessing about, and what assumptions people are making.
When to use
HCD Process Phase: Implementation
BABOK Knowledge Area: All
PMI-BA Domain: All
Tool Sophistication0%
COLLABORATION LEVEL0%
DIFFICULTY TO COMPLETE0%
OVERVIEW
Assumptions are the unasked and unanswered questions that can throw your project or team into invisible chaos. They influence objectivity and impact output, both of which can increase and complicate project risk without you even knowing it.
Project risk assessments tend to take place at the start of a work engagement and are (hopefully) tracked throughout. While this is useful, such tracking is normally executed by a single individual based on the original risk set and it and the ongoing statuses are rarely shared with project team members.
When work is in-progress, however, new questions and assumptions abound every day. You need to check for them and check in place. Identifying these sooner rather than later means you can act quicker to alleviate their influence and impact and lessen current and potential risks.
BASIC STEPS
1. Create an assumption grid
Draw a grid separated into four (4) quadrants. Place risk on the y-axis and certainty on the x-axis.
2. Plot the assumptions
Ask team members (and any other people you want) to write down their assumptions as statements or questions on sticky notes and then place on the grid where they decide it should go. Make sure there is only one assumption per note so they can be easily moved around later on.
You can use different coloured notes for different teams, but it is best to use the same colour to lessen confusion and make it a true team effort.
You can do this in a scheduled session or just post and have people add to it as they need or want.
3. Challenge the Assumptions
Bring everyone together and begin working through the assumptions on the grid. Analyze each assumption to determine its truthfulness and impact to the work.
Here are two questions you can use to do this:
- Are we certain we know the correct answer to this question / statement?
- What is the risk level if the answer is wrong?
REMEMBER …
It is important to be open and honest in this discussion and to ensure it is a safe space for everyone to have a voice and feel heard.