When organizations began mass distributing mosquito nets as an effective solution to malaria, they probably didn’t take into account an underlying assumption.

People need to know how to use them.

When I lived in northern Mozambique, I first experienced the result: many families used the nets as blankets instead of hanging them from the ceiling. Others used them even if the nets had big holes.

Any solution, even the most successful, carries a number of assumptions and associated risks that we’ll have to manage sooner or later.

The beauty of starting an impact startup is that you have the opportunity to test assumptions and minimize risks along the way.

To do that, you first need to understand the rationale behind your solution: What does it take to get from A (your product) to B (the change you seek)?

Building the Logic Behind the Solution

Understanding the logic behind your solution is the easiest and most cost-efficient way to make it work and achieve the societal change you seek.

Here’s Why:

• You’re testing your assumptions and improving your product rather than hoping reality will match your plans.

• You’re preventing future problems by mitigating potential risks upfront.

• You can better explain why your solution matters, which leads to more buy-in and trust.

I’ve been using this process for years, whether I start a consulting service or a project.

You just need Post-its and a whiteboard (or table). You can do it alone, but it works better if you brainstorm with your project partner.

Here’s how it works:

5 Simple Steps to Identify Your Assumptions

1. What’s the problem you’re trying to solve?

On a Post-it, write your impact goal based on the problem you identified. Then stick it on the right side of the whiteboard.

Ex. Problem: Malaria → Impact goal: Reduce malaria.

2. What’s your solution?

Write it on another Post-it and stick it on the left side of the board.

Ex. Mosquito net.

3. What must happen for [your solution] to achieve [your impact goal]?

Brainstorm the cause-and-effect chain between the left and right sides of the board. One idea → one post-it

Ex. mosquito net → people hang it up and sleep in it → people get bitten less by mosquitoes → fewer cases of malaria.

4. Brainstorm the assumptions that support the logic chain you just created.

Consider the different stakeholders involved and the external conditions.

Ex. Families are given mosquito nets, they know how to use them, they value their effectiveness in preventing malaria, and they use them every night.

5. Brainstorm about the risks.

What can go wrong? What are other unintended consequences?

Ex. Mosquito nets pollute the environment if they’re misused.

Knowing the assumptions and potential risks, you can take your work into your own hands instead of waiting for the magic to happen.

Building or revisiting your rationale will help you improve your results and build more buy-in among stakeholders, whether you’re just getting started or have a thriving startup.

And if you need some help, just book a call and we’ll be happy to support your mission.