Ask for possible patterns, then check manually

Unit ID: AIT-M08-U03 Estimated active time: 15-20 minutes

The main idea

Pattern suggestions are hypotheses, not results.

A suggested pattern is a good use of the tool: it produces candidates you might not have thought to look for. It is not evidence that the pattern exists.

Why this matters

The distinction collapses easily in writing. "Weekend signups may be lower" becomes "weekend signups are lower" by the time it reaches a slide.

Safe example

A tool suggests weekend signups may differ, but you must calculate it.

The calculation takes two minutes and settles it. Without it, the suggestion travels as a finding.

Better working habit

Ask for possible patterns and a checking plan.

Both in one request. A pattern with no checking plan attached is a claim waiting to be repeated.

What to watch for

Do not present possible patterns as findings.

Keep the word "possible" in the sentence until you have done the arithmetic. It is the only thing stopping the drift.

Mini practice

Write three possible patterns and how to verify each.

Then check the one that would matter most if it were true.

Check yourself

Before moving on, answer:

• Which of these have I actually calculated?
• Does my wording still say possible where it should?
• Which pattern would change a decision if it were real?