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Assumption Smashing
An idea generating technique in which you list all of the assumptions of a given project or challenge, and then drop them one by one and consider what would happen. Assumption smashing can be grounded in reality (what would happen if we moved the event from Wednesday night to Friday night?) or completely fantastical (how would we communicate if we had no sound at all during the event?).
Assumption smashing can be quite revealing, especially if it takes on an "adversarial" tone that forces you to examine foundational beliefs. What if you took away the assumption that everyone wanted to come to your event, or that everyone even liked your church, or that everyone saw the benefit in your ministry? The goal of assumption smashing is to reveal new "what if" ideas by peeling away layers of preconception.
Example.
Internet browsing software like Internet Explorer or Safari is free. Ever wonder why? Perhaps the assumption that people had to pay for software was dropped.
Action Ideas.
- Write down your assumptions about a project. Start with everything you know--date, time, place, people, purpose, cost--all the facts.
- Smash each of these assumptions and examine the results. What if the date were changed? The time? The place? The people? The purpose?
- Ask others to help you define things that are assumed about your event or project, then smash those assumptions as well.
Copyright Eugene L. Mason. All rights reserved.
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