Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M1733

Effectuation

Effectuation
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

In contrast to causal logic (setting goals -> seeking resources). Expert entrepreneurs use effectual logic: see what I have in hand (birds), who I know, how much loss I can afford, and then see what can be put together.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Action-oriented. Don't write a perfect business plan (causal logic). See what junk you have at hand, what can you do now? The future is created, not predicted.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Contrary to causal logic (goal -> resources), effectual logic starts from existing resources at hand (who I am, who I know, what losses I can afford), and through executable small actions, pieces together possible outcomes. The future is created rather than predicted, and uncertainty is transformed into affordable experiments.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/5

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
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Source support: Explicit

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Inferential Distance

How many steps of logical reasoning you must go through to get from what the audience already knows to the conclusion you want to convey.

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