We make assumptions every day. We often use assumptions as a shortcut when we lack firsthand knowledge. We assume we know what other people think and this prevents us from learning what they really ...

Attempt a "clean room rebuild." This is when you build a solution in a new location to see if something weird about where you ...

A necessary yet often overlooked step in the planning process is the recording of assumptions; those insights and expectations upon which the plan will be constructed. Sometimes referred to as ...

Over the years, I have been a member of several boards of directors. I’ve been part of teams that produced some great results – as well as teams that got bogged down when strong personalities became ...

Assumptions should be built into all projects, though be careful--inaccurate assumptions can lead to wasted time and money and even project failures. When building the business case for a project, ...

How many legs does a cow have if everyone agrees its tail is a leg? Most decisions are based on an underlying assumption. Positions articulated in a debate are based on an assumption. The problem is ...

Let’s look at how this works. I have a quick story for you, then a question. A bus driver was heading down Van Ness Avenue in my home town of San Francisco. He went through a stop sign without even ...

Assumptions are just a part of life. To understand what the people around you are doing, you have to assume things about them. For example, if you understand a person’s goals, you can comprehend their ...

Receive emails about upcoming NOVA programs and related content, as well as featured reporting about current events through a science lens. Last month, Avi Loeb, an astrophysicist at Harvard, ...