Thinking · Possibility · Testing

Find a Better Way

Start with a problem, an opportunity or something you want to create. Understand why it matters, explore possible approaches and test whether one makes a useful difference.

15–30 minutes, plus your real-world test

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Step 1 of 7

What needs attention?

Get clear about the situation and why a change would matter before deciding what to try.

Separate what you notice from what you assume.
If “students aren’t engaging” is your starting point, what have you actually noticed—and what might explain it?

What is happening—or what opportunity do you see?Describe what needs attention. This is the only field required to export your Test Card.

What have you seen, heard or experienced that tells you this?Use an observation, a conversation, feedback or an example. If it is a guess, say so.

Who would benefit from a change, and why would it matter?

Who is affected, or who could benefit?

Why would this change matter to them?

What would become better or possible?Describe a change you could notice. You will use this when you plan your test and review what happened.

Assumptions and practical limits

What is fixed?

What are you still assuming or unsure about?

Step 2 of 7

What could work?

Think of different ways to make the intended difference. Write your own ideas first, then use an optional prompt if you need another angle.

Aim for at least three.
You can continue with fewer, but the first idea is easier to challenge when it has company.

Add an idea or possibility

Start with an idea of your own. Optional prompts will then help you explore another angle.

Step 3 of 7

Build my shortlist

Step 4 of 7

How could it work better?

Look at what gives each shortlisted idea potential, what it depends on and how it could become stronger.

Make an idea more useful.
Look for changes that bring it closer to the difference you want to make.

Step 5 of 7

What is worth trying?

Compare the possibilities against what you want to change. Choose one that could make a useful difference and teach you something through a small test.

Keep your reasons visible.
What makes this possibility worth testing for the people involved?

What supports this direction?

What concerns you?

What do you still need to learn?

Why is this the idea you want to test now?

Step 6 of 7

How will you test it?

Plan a small test that will help you see whether your idea moves things towards the difference you want to make.

Do not overbuild.
The first test should reduce uncertainty, not prove the whole idea.

What is the smallest useful version of this idea you can test?

Who will you test it with, or where will you try it?

What assumption are you testing?

What will you look or listen for to tell whether it helped?Connect this to your intended difference. Name something you could observe, hear or compare.

When will you try it?

What would make you continue, adjust or stop?

Download text

Return to this address in the same browser and on the same device to review your test.

Step 7 of 7

Did it make a difference?

Return after your test. Compare what happened with the difference you hoped to make, including whose experience improved and what is still uncertain.

What changed for the people involved?
Use what you observed to decide what to keep, change, combine, pause or stop.

What did you try?

What happened?

How did the result compare with the difference you hoped to make?What became better or possible, for whom? Include where things stayed the same or became harder.

What evidence or reactions did you notice?

What surprised you?

What do you want to do next?

What will you change or test next?

A test is useful even when the idea does not work as expected. The point is to replace some of the guessing with evidence.