Assumption Check
An assumption check has students write what they believe about their user before research, plan how to find out, and then mark each belief right, partly right or wrong.
Beginner◷ 10–20 minFree · no login
What do you only think you know?
How to use it + an example
How to use it
- 1List what the class thinks it knows about the user, one guess per card.
- 2For each guess, write how to find out: who to ask or what to watch.
- 3After the research, record what was found, mark each guess, and say what changes in the design.
Example
A group designing a bike rack assumes Year 5 students want it near the gate; three short interviews show they care more about seeing it from the classroom.
When to use it: Before research begins, and again once the findings are in (MYP Design Criterion A).
Discover: Find out what's really going on.
Your turn ↓
What do you only think you know?
Before you research, write down your guesses about your user. Afterwards, come back and see which ones were right.
Enter to start · Shift+Enter for a new line
Before you start
- Write who they are, not their name: "a Year 5 student", not "Sam".
- If you are going to ask or watch someone, ask them first and tell them what it is for.
Look back. Which wrong guess will change your design the most?
Try next
- Mind MapBranch ideas from a central topic to explore connections and discover patterns.Try it free →
- Interview PlannerPlan open questions for a real person, then record what they said and what surprised you.Try it free →
- What / How / WhyWatch someone do the task: note what they do, how they do it, then guess why.Try it free →
For teachers: Discover stage · 10-20m. Free, no login. One of the 44 design thinking tools on StudioLoom, which also puts them inside lessons so students’ thinking is saved with their project.