Identify the Design Assumption Before Building the Feature

Name the assumption

A proposed feature often contains a belief about what people need or how they will behave. Write that belief in plain language. Identify the user, task and context before deciding that a new screen or button is the answer.

In this fictional example, a team believes that a prominent booking button will help learners choose a session. That may be true, but the team has not established whether people understand the session information or know which course is suitable.

Separate belief from observation

Record what has actually been observed and what is still an interpretation. A request from a stakeholder is useful context, but it does not establish how all intended users will behave. Keep missing evidence visible.

A learner asking about session dates is an observation. Concluding that a bigger button will solve the problem is a design assumption. The distinction helps the team decide what to investigate without dismissing the original request.

Choose a focused question

Ask a question that can inform the proposed design. For example, can a likely user locate a suitable session and explain the next step? GOV.UK describes using prototypes to explore and test designs before building them.

Select a practice method that fits the question. A sketch can support discussion of a layout; a realistic interactive prototype may be needed to examine an interaction. The exercise should expose uncertainty rather than seek praise for an attractive design.

Record the next decision

Write what evidence would support changing the design, keeping it or investigating further. Identify who reviews the evidence and when the team will decide. Avoid treating a small practice exercise as proof about every user.

Practise with a fictional booking page. List one assumption, the observation behind it and a question to explore. Use the related user-needs guide to examine the underlying task before spending time on a detailed feature proposal.

Source and practice note

The linked official guidance provides background. Examples, exercises and record layouts are original RDE learning material. Use fictional content for practice and follow your organisation’s research, accessibility and information-handling procedures.

Read the official guidance

Cover image: AI-generated illustrative scene created specifically for this resource.