What is at stake?
The direct effect of reaching an outcome.
- What changes instantly upon success or failure?
- Who is affected first by our outcome?
- What processes activate or shut down?
- How quickly do effects manifest?
Cumulative
How impacts cascade from our outcome.
- What reactions follow success or failure?
- How do effects propagate differently in each case?
- What downstream changes occur?
- Who is indirectly affected?
Success
What follows from achieving our goal.
- What positive changes occur?
- What new opportunities are gained?
- What obligations are created?
- What maintenance is required?
Failure
What follows from missing our goal.
- What problems persist or worsen?
- What opportunities are lost?
- What trust or credibility is damaged?
- What alternatives must we pursue?
Inconclusive
What follows from unclear results.
- What happens with mixed results?
- Which consequences are binary vs. gradual?
- How do stakeholders react to mixed results?
- What gets salvaged or written off?
Implications
What follows regardless of outcome.
- What future options open or close?
- What precedents are set?
- How does this affect future attempts?
- What can't be undone?
- What do we learn regardless of outcome?