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:

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

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?

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.

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)