Why Experiment Canvas?

An idea is based on a hypothesis that came about based on some research, an opportunity, a threat or a serendipitous moment. However, it is important to validate it step by step. And thus, it is important to craft experiments to validate the assumptions and prove the value. Experiment Canvas is a tool that helps with it.

It is part of my suite of innovation canvases. The complete (and growing list) is composed of: Ecosystem Mapping Canvas, Elevator Pitch Canvas, Experiment Canvas, Idea Canvas, Product Management Canvas.

So, What is an Experiment

An experiment is a low-fi (some time non-tech and some times tech) action that can help validate a key hypothesis.

Thus, it allows us to invest iteratively in an idea on its journey to a useful and revenue-generating product.

Introducing The Experiment Canvas

The Experiment Canvas is a lean innovation tool. It allows you to articulate an experiment, the hypothesis it will test along with success & failure criteria.

In Order To

This is to state the hypothesized valuable outcome here. Clarity of the hypothesis being tested is important.

We Will Build

This is to state the experiment.

That Will

This is to state the key capabilities or the key actions that will be done as part of the experiment

And Be a Success If

This is to state the success criteria

Or Fail If

This is to state the failure criteria. Not achieving the success criteria is not necessarily a failure. Many times even the success criteria and failure criteria maybe around two different metrics. Not achieving the failure criteria is however a sign to go back to the drawing boards and start again.

While Keeping in Mind

This is to state the key assumptions and risks here

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Your Example

If you have used this version of the Experiment Board to validate your idea, do consider sharing a non-confidential version with me. I will post it here along with attribution. The more we share, the more we learn!

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Note: Thanks to my colleagues Ruchi Mahajan (@ruchi_mahajan) and Adithya H (@adithyaah) for their feedback and suggestions.