BA Series - Inversion: What Could Go Wrong

Before we continue diving into the analysis of the Smart Planner app, I would like to introduce the mental model called "inversion".

We all know that projects might get sidetracked easily while producing risk assessment items. So, by applying the inversion mental model, we ask: "Let's invert our perspective and consider a scenario or two where this project failed completely. What factors might have contributed to this undesirable outcome?"

then we can produce a really long list of poor planning, inadequate communication, etc.

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Let us do it for the Smart Planner app. Before jumping to the planning sessions, we can just list out some potential issues that might happen during the app development or even in analysis and design phases.

1. Lack of resources

2. Poor planning

3. Inadequate communications

4. Scope creep

5. Technical difficulties

6. Inadequate risk management

7. Lack of stakeholder buy-in

External factors, which might include changes in regulations or competitive apps, can also have a significant impact on the app.

In terms of functionalities, here are some examples of how inversion could be applied.

1. Inverse Schedule Management: instead of focusing on successful schedule management, consider the risks associated with poor schedule management. Factors include double-booking, conflicts, deadlines missing.

2. Inverse Task Management: instead of focusing on successful task management, consider the risks associated with poor task management. Factors include incomplete or missed tasks, a lack of prioritization, and poor communication.

3. Inverse Privacy Management: instead of focusing on successful privacy management, consider the risks associated with privacy breaches or data leaks. Factors include weak passwords, inadequate security protocols, or human error.

4. Inverse Collaborative Planning: instead of focusing on successful collaborative planning, consider the risks associated with poor collaboration. Factors might include miscommunication, lack of coordination, and conflicting priorities.

5. Inverse Event Marketing: instead of focusing on successful event marketing, consider the risks associated with poor marketing. Factors include inadequate promotion, insufficient outreach, or poor targeting.

☕ The person who knows how to think backwards will always be superior to the person who only knows how to think forward. - Jordan Peterson