MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Situation

Product Fit

Review your idea description—does it clearly solve a priority need for a specific audience segment?

Ask one peer why they think your idea matters—note the most relevant benefit they mention.

Compare your strongest project to your weakest—what differentiator mattered most to reviewers?

Identify one repeated critique from instructors—does it signal a misalignment in your idea?

Write down in one sentence: Who is your idea not for—and why?

Search for recent reviews of similar ideas—what are people praising or criticizing, and how does yours compare?

Journal about when your idea felt like a perfect fit—what made that test or feedback session work?

What assumptions have you made about user needs—and are they still valid?

How often do you hear “this is exactly what I needed”? If rarely, why?

Do you build more on peer feedback or personal vision—how balanced is your approach?

What feedback do you tend to dismiss—could it reveal deeper fit issues?

When has pleasing everyone diluted the value of your idea?

Interview three peers about what problem they were solving and how well your idea addressed it.

Create a user persona using actual insights—not guesses—from three peer interviews.

Map the full user journey—from idea to outcome—and mark all friction points.

Test one feature with a non-ideal peer group to see where your idea breaks.

Run a mini-survey: what would make your peers recommend your project more confidently?

Pilot a small tweak in your project and measure how peer response changes.

Ask a peer: “When you describe my project to others, what do you say it does best?”

Present your project pitch to someone unfamiliar and ask what feels unclear or mismatched.

Share two project drafts (slides, mockups) and ask which one best aligns with needs.

Ask peers: “What objections or doubts come up most often, and why?”

Invite a mentor to audit your draft for clarity, precision, and relevance.

Ask a peer to complete: “This idea would be perfect if only it also…”

Shift from “I’m juggling many ideas” to “I’m solving one real problem well—let’s double down.”

Reframe low interest as “a signal to listen deeper” rather than “a flaw in my idea.”

Instead of “this won’t fit everyone,” proudly own “it’s perfect for this audience.”

View peer dropout not as rejection, but as guidance on mismatched fit or framing.

Change “I need more features” to “I need more value where it matters.”

Replace “it’s good enough” with “is it irresistible to the right person at the right time?”

Notice what language peers use when describing your idea—does it match how you describe it?

Track who engages with your project repeatedly—what patterns do they share?

Watch how peers engage with your demo or pitch—where do they light up or lose interest?

Monitor which peer requests reveal usability gaps in your idea.

Observe what competing projects highlight—are they addressing something you missed?

Listen for hesitation when peers respond—what concerns go unspoken?

Growth Plan

Write down three clear goals for progress—skills, projects, or ventures—within a set timeframe.

Identify one bottleneck slowing your progress and brainstorm two immediate low-cost fixes.

Revisit your last growth attempt—what worked, what didn’t, and why?

Ask a peer what growth means to them—note if their view aligns with yours.

Review a peer’s recent project—what might they be doing right?

List three assumptions you’ve made about growth—are they still valid?

Reflect on what sustainable growth means for you—are you chasing quick wins or long-term value?

When has your class or group resisted a new growth idea—what was the root cause?

How do your personal ambitions align—or clash—with program or venture goals?

What risk have you avoided that might unlock meaningful growth?

Reflect on a time when faster growth reduced quality—what did you learn?

Are you growing in ways that matter to your goals—or just following trends?

Build a basic forecast—map one goal (e.g., sign-ups) and identify key inputs to achieve it.

Run a “small bet” test—pilot a new channel or method in one class project.

Interview a startup mentor about their growth strategy—note transferable ideas.

Organize a growth workshop with peers to align goals and define top priorities.

Create a version of your idea tailored for a new niche or segment.

Track your time split between growth tasks and admin work for one full week.

Share your growth plan draft with a mentor and ask, “What’s missing or unrealistic?”

Present your growth idea in class—invite questions that challenge your logic.

Ask advanced students what trends they notice—do they align with your growth focus?

Ask a new classmate: “What opportunities do you think our group is missing?”

Show your top three priorities to a peer and ask which one excites them most.

Share your growth plan with a former classmate—ask if it would have helped them more.

Shift from “how do I grow fast” to “how do I grow in ways that last beyond the course.”

Reframe missed targets as feedback data—not failure—for smarter next steps.

Replace “growth = bigger” with “growth = more value for the right people.”

Instead of seeing risk as danger, see it as a doorway to entrepreneurial learning.

Swap “I’m too small” for “I’m agile—how can I use that as an edge?”

Rethink “growth happens later” to “what can grow now, even if imperfect?”

Track how quickly your growth ideas turn into action—where do they stall or fade?

Notice what type of growth excites your group most—scale, reach, or innovation?

Watch which ideas spark energy versus resistance in group discussions.

Monitor peer behavior—do usage patterns show readiness for broader adoption?

Observe which group projects overrun time or budget—are goals misaligned?

Listen for comments like “we’ve always done it this way”—possible blockers.

Positioning

Review your personal pitch—does it clearly state what makes your entrepreneurial angle distinct?

List three competing solutions and identify how your idea stands out from each.

Check if your online profile clearly communicates your entrepreneurial strengths.

Ask a classmate to describe your positioning—compare it to how you want to be seen.

Update one slide or line in your pitch to clarify what sets you apart.

Revisit your résumé or bio headline—does it reflect your entrepreneurial identity?

When was the last time your pitch or story evolved—does it still align with your strengths?

What do peers or mentors consistently say they value in your work—is it reflected outside?

Are you known for what you want to be known for—why or why not?

Think of a time your idea was misunderstood—what was missing in the framing?

How clearly can you describe your ideal audience—and what language resonates?

Do you position with features, benefits, or outcomes—which is most effective?

Create a 1-sentence positioning statement for your project and share it with your group.

Deliver a short pitch to someone outside your program—see if they immediately “get it.”

Rewrite your résumé summary to reflect your entrepreneurial angle in one line.

Conduct a mini-audit of similar projects—identify one way to differentiate yours.

Present your value proposition to a small group—ask for immediate reactions.

Identify one project where you’ll test positioning your idea in a new way.

Ask a classmate to describe your unique contribution in group work.

Get input from two peers on how they would describe your idea.

Present three positioning options to a mentor—ask which feels strongest.

Post a short “what I do” statement online and ask for feedback.

Interview a student in another program about how they explain their value—compare with yours.

Run a quick A/B test on two versions of your slides—compare peer reactions.

Instead of “what I do,” focus on “what problem I solve” when pitching my project.

Think of positioning not as bragging but as clarity that guides others’ support.

Shift from “being better” to “being different”—what makes me distinct, not just strong?

Frame my messaging in terms of transformation—what changes for others because of me?

Reframe positioning as storytelling: what narrative arc am I placing myself in?

Frame my role in terms of outcomes, not labels—what impact do I really drive?

Watch how other student teams present themselves—what’s clear, and what’s generic?

Observe how peers introduce themselves—what positioning techniques do they use?

Pay attention to which pitches get strong reactions—what language made the difference?

Analyze how well-known startups frame uniqueness—what emotional levers do they use?

Notice moments when peers struggle to explain your idea—what could be clearer?

Listen for language peers use about your idea—what words repeat most often?

MASTER Risk Hub