This document provides an overview of open-source thinking tools that can be used in digital product development. It discusses two tools in particular: 1. X10 is presented as a tool for early sketching to generate many design options by multiplying elements, metrics, or perspectives by 10. 2. Good, Bad, Better is described as a mechanism for quick iterations on a concept by identifying what is good, bad, and transforming the bad into something better. The document advocates applying these thinking tools at the idea generation stage before beginning to code, but acknowledges hackathons provide a safe environment to build and validate ideas through a process of parallel attempts and technology-led innovation.

1. C B A H a c k a t h o n
OPEN -SOURCE THINKING TOOLS IN
DIGITAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
…in 15 minutes.
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READY?

2. 15 SECOND OVERVIEW FOR A 15 MINUTE TALK
The things
■ A few things about projects
■ The Thinking Tools
■ When to use the tools
■ Leveraging other services
■ Doing it earlier in the process
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3. PROJECT
METHODOLOGIES
ARE STRUCTURED
FOR CONSOLIDATION
BUT to solve the really tricky problems we need great divergent thinking at the
appropriate times.
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4. MISTAKE 1: WATERFALL IS
SINGLE PASS.
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MISTAKE 2: REQUIREMENTS
CAN BE GATHERED.
Waterfall was originally designed to afford multiple passes, which would result in something pretty
close to Agile. Requirements cannot be gathered - they must be found in customer insights, and
subsequently validated.
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5. Consolidation is an intrinsic and seemingly natural feature of any project. What is less
natural is divergent thinking which leads to options. This is why an explicit tool for idea
generation is important.
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Catalyst for Variations/ Options Catalyst for Variations/ Options

6. SYNTHESIS DOESN’T
JUST HAPPEN.
Creativity isn’t magic. It can be an explicit process, applied
when and where needed.
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7. THE OPEN SOURCE THINKING TOOLS
X10
■ Multiply options by 10
■ Works best when applied to a specific element/ metric/ perspective
■ Works extremely well with scale and relative proportions
■ Versions include: Divide by 10, adjacent 10, 10 parts etc.
■ Make up your own version
■ Resource: The X10 Memeplex. Book Download:https://
docs.google.com/file/d/0B44Jw1ES0js6cDJGekwwWmJhd28/edit?
pli=1
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8. !8
X10 is ideal for early sketching stage
where you need many design options
to begin to articulate a vision.

9. THE OPEN SOURCE THINKING TOOLS
Good, Bad, Better
■ Apply tool to any solution hypothesis. (not so great with customer problems)
■ Call out the GOOD - get it out there.
■ Call out the BAD - be strong, some of the best solutions come from here.
■ Transform the BAD into a better.
■ This method uses the momentum of previous work to drive forward positively.
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10. !10
GBB is an excellent mechanism for
generating quick iterations to a
concept in a short period of time.
Especially if working with a non-
diverse team in a vacuum (like a
Hackathon)

11. Consolidation is an intrinsic and seemingly natural feature of any project. What is less
natural is divergent thinking which leads to options. This is why an explicit tool for idea
generation is important.
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Problem Definition
Examples:
Hypotheses
Parallel Design
Research
A/B Testing
Design Build
GENERATION USER TESTING QA TESTING
X10 GBB X10 GBB
GENERATION

12. LEVERAGING EXISTING PLATFORMS
Hypothesis Testing
■ Email first - just like mobile first.
■ Social first
■ Research platforms / javelin.com etc
■ Airtasker
■ Parallel design
■ A/B testing
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13. ONLY FOOLS CODE FIRST
Don’t build first here’s why:
There are several types of risk that can kill your company here are a few (but are
not limited to):
■ TEAM- are we the right people to execute?
■ MARKET - do people want to buy it? <usually the biggest risk
■ TECHNICAL - Can we build it? <Most hackers start here..oops!!
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Kareem Mayan
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FULL ARTICLE
http://blog.reemer.com/why-only-fools-write-code-first
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14. WHY WE CAN BE FOOLS TODAY
It’s ok to build and validate because it’s a
hackathon has the following benefits:
■ Safety in Numbers - Multiple groups provides multiple attempts at different
ideas in parallel. This model is used in Seed funds. 1 success 9 failure - with
pooled resources runs a profit.
■ Technology led innovation - new intersections of technology and ideas can
give rise to fantastic new products which then find a market. Often not possible
within the confines of a customer insight led development.
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15. GET BACK TO
WRITING CODE.
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16. For questions or suggestions:
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Mike Biggs
mbiggs@thoughtworks.com
THANK YOU