Questions before a program

The core questions

• What should someone become able to do, and why does it matter?
• What happens today, and where is the actual limit?
• What change in approach could overcome that limit?
• What evidence, risks, resources and time does the attempt involve?
• Which intermediate and final tests would justify the next decision?

The VisionSeek extension

• Who are the best people to assemble around the capability?
• What is the best usable knowledge, technology and opportunity already available?
• Who will own and operate the capability after proof?
• How will operating evidence change the next iteration?

Learning reference

DARPA publishes the Heilmeier Catechism as a way to assess proposed research programs. The questions above are a VisionSeek adaptation, not a claim of affiliation or a replacement for its nine-stage method.