Assumption Based Development
Assumption Based Development is a software development methodology that focuses on explicitly identifying, documenting, and validating assumptions throughout the development process. It involves treating assumptions as first-class artifacts that must be tested and verified to reduce risk and uncertainty in projects. This approach helps teams make more informed decisions and adapt quickly when assumptions prove incorrect.
Developers should use Assumption Based Development when working on projects with high uncertainty, such as new product development, innovative features, or complex systems where requirements are unclear. It's particularly valuable in agile and lean environments to prevent wasted effort on invalid assumptions, enabling faster pivots and more reliable delivery. This methodology helps teams avoid building features based on untested beliefs that could lead to project failures or rework.