Questions Template to Work Smarter adapted from Rework Book

How to Ask Good Questions to Make the Right Decisions? Smart Working Template and Better Decision Making!

Adapted from the Rework book by Jason Fried and David H. Hansson and updated with 4 Bonus Steps , this template provides a reflective framework for making smarter, more purposeful decisions in personal projects and business tasks. Before diving into any new task, use these guiding questions to assess its value, usefulness, and impact on your goals.

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Book Summary + Key Ideas

Step by Step Method Rework

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Whether you're working solo or part of a small team, asking these questions will help you prioritize tasks, save time, and focus on what's truly important. Think about how you can apply this critical thinking template to your projects.

Questions Template - Think More, Ask Better to Work Less and Smarter

Step	Question	Description	Guiding Reflection
1. Motivation / Reasons	Why are you doing this?	Understanding the underlying reasons for your work is essential. This question helps clarify your purpose and ensures that you are not simply following orders without grasping the significance of the task.	Why am I working on this? Who benefits from this work? What's the motivation behind it? How does this task align with the larger goals of the project or business? Is this a priority for me or someone else?
2. Problem Identification	What problem are you solving?	Identifying the core issue you’re trying to address is crucial for effective decision-making. This question encourages you to analyze whether you are genuinely solving a problem that exists or if it's merely an assumption.	What specific problem does this solve? Are customers confused or unsatisfied? Am I solving a real or imaginary problem? Is this issue urgent and impactful, or can it wait? If I stop now, would it affect anyone significantly?
3. Utility	Is this actually useful?	Evaluating whether what you're making has practical value is essential. This question helps you determine if your enthusiasm for a project is translating into something that genuinely benefits users.	Does this work provide real value to users? Is this a cool feature or a truly useful one? Am I just creating for the sake of it, or does this improve the product? How will customers benefit from this in the long term? Can we simplify this without losing its usefulness?
4. Value Addition	Are you adding value?	Examining if what you're doing increases the value of the product is crucial for successful outcomes. This question prompts you to consider whether your efforts are enhancing the user experience or complicating it.	Is this making the product more valuable or just more complex? Can customers get more out of it than before? Am I overloading the product with unnecessary features? How does this enhance the overall customer experience? What’s the balance between simplicity and added value?
5. Behavioral Impact	Will this change behavior?	Determining if the task or feature will impact user behavior is key. This question ensures that your work contributes to meaningful changes in how users interact with the product.	Will this significantly change how people use the product? Is it likely to lead to increased engagement or usage? How does this improve or alter customer workflows? Will this change be intuitive or require additional learning? What real-world difference will this make to customers?
6. Simplicity	Is there an easier way?	Always asking if a simpler solution exists can save time and resources. This question helps you explore alternative approaches that might be just as effective.	Could I achieve the same result with less effort? What’s the easiest path to accomplish this goal? Am I overthinking the problem or its solution? What simpler solution could we implement right now? Is complexity hindering progress here?
7. Opportunity Cost	What could you be doing instead?	Considering what you're not doing because of this task is vital for effective resource management. This question encourages prioritization and helps you focus on what’s most impactful.	What am I missing out on by focusing on this? Is this the best use of my time and resources? How does this fit into my overall workload and priorities? Are there more impactful tasks I could be addressing? If I delay this, will it free up time for something more valuable?
8. Worthiness	Is it really worth it?	Assessing if the time, effort, or resources are justified is essential for maintaining focus. This question helps determine whether your investment in a task is likely to yield worthwhile results.	Is this task worth the time and energy I’m investing? Would it be better to postpone this for later? What’s the worst that could happen if I skip this task? Is the outcome valuable enough to warrant the effort? How does this fit into the bigger picture?

Bonus Questions for Enhanced Reflection

In addition to the core questions, consider these bonus questions to further refine your decision-making process. These can provide additional layers of insight and improve the applicability of your work.

Bonus Step	Bonus Question	Description	Guiding Reflection
1. Stakeholder Impact	Who else is affected by this?	Considering the broader impact of your work is essential for responsible decision-making. This question helps you identify all parties that may be affected by your actions.	Who are the stakeholders involved? How will this affect them? Are there any unintended consequences? Should I seek feedback from others before proceeding? What are the potential risks for stakeholders?
2. Timing	Is now the right time?	Evaluating the appropriateness of the timing for your work can greatly impact its effectiveness. This question helps you consider if immediate action is necessary or if waiting might yield better results.	Is this urgent or can it wait? Are there external factors influencing the timing? Would it be more beneficial to wait for a better opportunity? How does this fit into the current timeline of projects? Are there deadlines I should be aware of?
3. Learning Opportunity	What can I learn from this?	Identifying opportunities for growth and learning can significantly enhance your professional development. This question encourages you to reflect on the potential skills or insights you could gain from the task.	What skills will I develop by doing this? Is there knowledge to be gained that could be useful later? How can I document or share what I learn with others? Will this enhance my expertise or the team's capabilities? Can this experience help me in future projects?
4. Alignment with Values	Does this align with my values?	Ensuring your work aligns with your personal or organizational values fosters a sense of purpose and satisfaction. This question prompts reflection on whether the task resonates with your core beliefs.	Does this project reflect my core beliefs? Will I feel proud of this work in the long term? How does this fit into the larger mission of the organization? Is there a conflict between this task and my values? Will this contribute positively to the company culture?

By reflecting on these questions before diving into any new project or task, you can ensure that your efforts are focused on what truly matters. This template is designed to help you prioritize effectively, eliminate waste, and stay aligned with your goals. Remember, less is often more, and simplicity can be the key to lasting success.

Take this template with you and apply it to your daily work. These questions will guide you toward making better, more meaningful decisions in any situation.