Prove It Works
Test your assumptions early before you invest more time, budget, or reputation.
This job helps you prove the most promising option will work before you go big. Run small tests, learn quickly, and gather enough evidence to decide whether to continue, adapt, or stop. This includes testing with users, customers, and others affected.
What this job is about
Prove the most promising option before you go big.
- Turning assumptions into clear tests
- Running small experiments before going big
- Learning fast with minimal cost
- Making better continue, adapt, or stop decisions
What it is not
- Concept design
- Producing only a plan or design
- Going big, and scaling out
Rules that often help in this job
You do not need to do all of these. Start where uncertainty is highest.
If you only produce one thing, make it this.
Produce a Delivery Plan
Start this early, fill it out as you go.
Adapt to uncertainty
Change course early when the evidence points somewhere else. Use what you learn to reshape the option before you commit more.
View RuleKeep on Top of Risks
Track what could derail progress and what you will do about it. Shorten the window for surprises before the work gets bigger and more expensive.
View RuleThink Big, Start Small
Define the smallest useful test that teaches you something real. Shape the most promising option, then test it in a small, low-risk way.
View RuleAlways Test The Big Assumptions
Run a quick test with real users, customers, or others affected. Capture what you learned and use it to improve the next rule.
View RuleAdjust for Optimism
Reality-check effort, timelines, and confidence. Value truth over good news when making big decisions.
View RuleBe Ready to Step Away
Set stop rules early and be clear what not continuing looks like. It is better to stop a weak idea now than scale a weak idea later.
View RuleMany experts will tell you: start small.
Pause and reflect before moving on. Use this if you want a simple check that the evidence is strong enough to continue. There are no right answers, and it will not block progress.
Go deeper
Related Plays
Optional frameworks if you want more structure.
What happens next
Most teams start by defining the smallest useful test.
Confluity Project Model sitemap
Model overview
What are Jobs?
The model is organised into three Jobs:
Job 1: Set the Direction – shape the purpose into options and a preferred way forward.
Job 2: Prove It Works – test assumptions and reduce risk before going big.
Job 3: Make It Happen – deliver at scale and make sure people actually use what you build.
What are Simple Rules?
The model contains simple rules. These are short principles drawn from experience that help you make better decisions. Jobs, tasks, and plays help you put those rules into practice.
What is a Play?
A Play is a method or tool that helps you apply a rule or complete a task. Use the recommended Plays first for simpler projects before exploring others.
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