Reducing expensive mistakes.
WHY IT MATTERS
Building is the most expensive way to test an idea.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FIRST
What you are assuming.
WHAT ASSUMPTIONS TYPICALLY EXIST
That people have this problem That they would use this solution That they would pay That we can build it That it fits how they work
WHAT TO TEST FIRST
The assumption that would be most damaging if wrong.
WHAT CHEAP TESTS EXIST
Conversations with people who have the problem Showing a sketch or mockup and observing reaction A description, and asking people to commit to something Manual delivery of the outcome, before automating it
WHAT MANUAL DELIVERY MEANS
Producing the result by hand for a few customers.
WHY IT WORKS
It tests whether the outcome is wanted, without building anything.
WHAT IT REVEALS
Whether people value it enough to use it.
WHAT A COMMITMENT TEST IS
Asking for something that costs the person: time, money, or a decision.
WHY THAT MATTERS
Expressed interest is free; commitment is evidence.
WHAT TO AVOID
Testing by asking whether people like the idea Building a complete version to find out
WHAT TO BUILD FIRST IF YOU MUST BUILD
The smallest thing that tests the assumption.
WHAT THAT IS NOT
A poor version of the full product.
WHAT IT IS
A complete version of a small thing.
WHAT TO DECIDE IN ADVANCE
What result would cause you to stop.
