How to use the PPT hypothesis tree template, as included in 2020
Delivery’s ‘Fast Effective Projects’ capability building programme
What is this tool?
PowerPoint instructions
A hypothesis tree helps to organise thoughts on ‘the answer’ and shows the gaps in your logic. It
 This hypothesis tree is created using
radically reduces the overall work required to develop insight into recommendations or options, as you
PPT’s ‘SmartArt’ illustration feature
focus resources on filling the gaps to support or disprove your working hypothesis
using an ‘Organisation chart’ layout
to create a vertical tree
When to use this tool?
The biggest trap you can fall into is leaving the development of insights and hypotheses until the end of  Either copy across the tree object to
the project. Keep iterating the tree throughout the project – the answers to your first issue tree will
your own presentation, or insert the
drive a first set of hypotheses, which will allow you to refine the issue tree, break the problem down
same SmartArt type directly
more meaningfully, and build an improved set of hypotheses based on the evidence
 When you click on the tree, a text
box will appear to the left where
Tips for developing insight with hypothesis trees
you can easily edit text and use TAB
 Start by stating what you believe (based on the available evidence) to be the best answer(s) or
and ENTER to create new lines
options(s) for the basic question or problem. Then add the supporting evidence below. Keep asking
(boxes) and indent them to the level
“Why?” and “How?” until the logic and evidence are rock-solid
you want
 Ensure the ANSWERS at each level (a horizontal cut) are independent (Mutually Exclusive) – but
 Also when you click on the tree, the
unlike issue trees, they do NOT need to be complete (Collectively Exhaustive). Only the evidence
two ‘Smart Art Tools’ tabs will
sufficient to disprove or prove the point is necessary
appear in the ribbon so you can
 Use existing frameworks where possible – if one doesn’t exist, invest the time in developing your
format and design the tree as you
own and testing it with others
wish
 Aim to capture existing preconceptions/myths so they can be discussed. And give stakeholders
 You can also double ‘ungroup’ to
plenty of time to react to your emerging hypotheses of options and recommendations
convert to normal shapes
Tool summary videos
are available at:
Find more tools
and templates at:
http://www.youtube.com/2020Delivery
www.2020delivery.com/services/capability-building/resources
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License - you may use and share this file, but please attribute it to www.2020delivery.com
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<Message> – e.g., “Our analysis suggests that option A has a
strong evidence base”
EXAMPLE HYPOTHESIS TREE
<Hypothesis – which
answers the question
(from PDS and issue
tree)>
Supporting
hypothesis
Sub-question
..
(use “tab” to indent
to 4th level)
Supporting
hypothesis
…
….
…
…
….
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License - you may use and share this file, but please attribute it to www.2020delivery.com
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