# The Heilmeier Catechism Way of precisely describing a high risk project 1. What are you trying to do? Explain it in as few words as possible with zero jargon ([[Explain it like I’m Five]]) 2. How is it done today? What are the limitations of the current system? 3. What is new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful? 4. Who cares? If you are successful , what difference will it make? 5. What are the risks? 6. How much will it cost? 7. How long will it take? 8. What are the mid-term and final exams to check for completeness? Used by DARPA https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/heilmeier-catechism #mental-model [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/The+Heilmeier+Catechism) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/The+Heilmeier+Catechism)