01Observe before interpreting

Choose a real context. Record three things someone does or says, then separate each observation from your interpretation. Ask permission before recording people.

02Frame the need

Write: [person] needs a way to [job] because [observed constraint]. Add what you still do not know. Avoid embedding a preferred solution.

03Generate alternatives

Write three meaningfully different responses. Change the interaction, service arrangement or environment—not only the visual style.

04Make a small prototype

Pick the riskiest assumption. Build a paper, role-play or click-through prototype that can expose it in one task.

05Test and reflect

Describe the task without explaining the solution. Record what the participant did, where they hesitated and what you will change. A small test is learning, not proof of market demand.

Set a seven-day review date

What worked? What failed?

Record evidence, errors and uncertainty.

What will you change?

Choose Continue, Revise, Stop or Gather more evidence.