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Below we discuss:
- What a Strawman Proposal is
- Why you might want to create a Strawman Proposal
- How to create a Strawman Proposal
What is a Strawman Proposal
- It is a problem-solving tool used in a group setting.
- The point of building a Strawman Proposal is to knock it down and rebuild something better.
- The premise behind building a Strawman Proposal is to create a first draft for criticism and testing, and then using the feedback you receive to develop subsequent iterations, and eventually a final outcome that is rock solid.
Why Bother to Build a Strawman Proposal
- Sometimes it’s easier to brainstorm possible solutions when you have somewhere to start.
- It can help you get started versus getting bogged down seeking perfection.
- It involves other stakeholders in the building of the proposal.
How to Build a Strawman Proposal
- Create a draft proposal.
- Present your draft to the rest of the team. Make sure the team understands that the intent is to use it as a discussion starter, and is not the final product or solution.
- Knock the strawman down. Invite feedback and criticism to create the next iteration of the proposal.
- Build your proposal back up again.
- Test the proposal against your original objectives
- Repeat as necessary until you reach your objective.
Three Things to Remember About Building a Strawman Proposal
- Make sure everyone knows what you are doing.
- Check your final solution against your assumptions.
- Eventually you’re going to have to commit to a final proposal. You can’t produce a Strawman Proposal in perpetuity.
Watch the ‘3-Minute Crash Course’ about Strawman Proposals (CLICK THE ARROW TO START THE VIDEO):