A Full Breakdown of the Heilmeier Questions
At the core of the Heilmeier Catechism are nine deceptively simple questions. They were never meant to confuse or dazzle, they were built to clarify. Here they are:
- What are you trying to do? (Articulate your objectives clearly.)
- How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
- What is new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful?
- Who cares?
- If you are successful, what difference will it make?
- What are the risks and the payoffs?
- How much will it cost?
- How long will it take?
- What are the midterm and final “exams” to check for success?
These questions form a tight loop between vision and execution. You can’t hand-wave your way past them, and that’s the point.
Why These Questions Work
The brilliance of the Heilmeier Catechism is that it scales.
- It works at the whiteboard or in a boardroom.
- It fits a scrappy startup or a massive government agency.
- It demands answers, not aspirations.
These questions expose holes in logic, pressure-test ideas, and clarify what's real versus what's wishful thinking.
Using the Catechism to Evaluate Your Own Projects
Whether you're working on a grant proposal, a product roadmap, or an internal strategy, these questions will push you to refine your thinking. Try this approach:
- Print the list.
- Write out your answers in plain language.
- Review with someone outside your team.
If you can’t answer clearly, you’re probably not ready to pitch.
Common Misinterpretations and How to Avoid Them
- Don't just describe technology. Describe impact.
- “Who cares?” doesn’t mean you care It means the world should.
- Avoid over-hedging with technical language. Simplicity is power.
If you treat the Catechism as a checklist, it will feel mechanical. If you treat it like a storytelling tool, it becomes transformative.