THE DELETE TEST
MAKE THE PROBLEM
SMALLER FIRST.
Remove every Better-have. If the purpose still works, the complexity was applying for a job that did not exist.
WORKED EXAMPLE
Five people need to share appointments and notice double bookings.
Buy an AI scheduling platform with advanced permissions, analytics and external integrations.
MUST / SHOULD / BETTER
Ask what fails when each condition is removed
- MustAll five people see the current schedule.
- MustDouble bookings become visible.
- ShouldChanges can be traced if the risk justifies it.
- BetterAI proposes the ideal time. Delete: no current failure requires it.
- BetterManagement dashboard. Delete: no decision has been named.
ROUTE BEFORE PRODUCT
Try the answers in an unglamorous order
StopIs the work itself needed?
OrganizeChange sequence, owner or input.
Learn / HumanIs knowledge or judgment the obstacle?
ExistingCalendar, spreadsheet or manual process.
ToolIf the Musts still fail, compare here.
BEFORE
Seven desirable features and a product comparison.→AFTER
Two Musts, one shared calendar and a one-week test.