Validation Board

Validation BoardTrack Pivots Start 1st Pivot 2nd Pivot 3rd Pivot

Customer Hypothesis Tip: One sticky note per box

ProblemHypothesis Tip: For two-sided markets,

validate the riskiest side first

Solution Hypothesis

Tip: Do not define a solution until you have validated the problem

Project Team Leader

Core AssumptionsAny assumption that, if invalidated, will break the business

Riskiest Assumption

Method

Minimum Success Criterion

Design Experiment Results

GET OUT

OF THE BLDG

Validated

1 2 1 2

3 4 3 4

5 6 5 6

Which assumption is the most uncertain?

What is the easiest way to test the assumption?

What is the minimum outcome still considered as validation?

If validated, explore the next riskiest hypothesis

Only put the riskiest assumption from an experiment in these boxes.Record data and insights separately

Template from www.validationboard.com(free for educational use but not for commercial software design) Adapted and animated by Erkko Autio and Selina Cao

HERE I LIST MY HYPOTHESES FOR THE

INITIAL IDEA (separate

for customers, problem, solution)

HERE I LIST MY CORE

ASSUMPTIONS (DERIVED

FROM HYPOTHESES)

HERE I LIST MY ELABORATED HYPOTHESES FOR EACH ROUND OF PIVOTING

IF A CORE ASSUMPTION GETS INVALI-DATED, I NEED TO PIVOT

If invalidated, pivot at least one core hypothesis

InvalidatedTip: clear all post-its from this area aftereach experiment is complete

IF MY ASSUMPTION IS VALIDATED, I MOVE TO THE NEXT CORE ASSUMPTION

Start Here!

TWEAK A NEW SET OF

HYPOTHESES FOR EACH

PIVOT. REPEAT THE CYCLE UNTIL DONE

HERE I LIST LESSONS AND INSIGHTS FROM MY HYPOTHESIS TESTS

GET OUT

OF THE BLDG

THE RISKIESTASSUMPTION GOESHERE FOR TESTINGHERE I DEVELOP

A WAY TO TEST THE ASSUMPTION

HERE I DECIDE HOW A SUCCESSFUL EXPERI-MENT LOOKS LIKE

Validation Board

Validation BoardTrack Pivots Start 1st Pivot 2nd Pivot 3rd Pivot

Customer Hypothesis Tip: One sticky note per box

ProblemHypothesis Tip: For two-sided markets,

validate the riskiest side first

Solution Hypothesis

Tip: Do not define a solution until you have validated the problem

Project Team Leader

Core AssumptionsAny assumption that, if invalidated, will break the business

Riskiest Assumption

Method

Minimum Success Criterion

Design Experiment Results

GET OUT

OF THE BLDG

Validated

1 2 1 2

3 4 3 4

5 6 5 6

Which assumption is the most uncertain?

What is the easiest way to test the assumption?

What is the minimum outcome still considered as validation?

If validated, explore the next riskiest hypothesis

Only put the riskiest assumption from an experiment in these boxes.Record data and insights separately

Template from www.validationboard.com(free for educational use but not for commercial software design) Adapted and animated by and Erkko Autio Selina Cao

If invalidated, pivot at least one core hypothesis

InvalidatedTip: clear all post-its from this area aftereach experiment is complete

This is where I keep track of my problem, customer, and solution

ideas and pivots

This is where I design

and manage my experiments

This is where I keep track of my insights

and lessons from experiments