STEP 21Test Key Assumptions
In This Step, You Will:
- From your list of top identified assumptions from the previous step, design simple, low‐cost, and rapid methods of testing them to see if you can refute them or gain more confidence that they are true.
- Once designed and agreed upon by the team, perform the empirical tests, moving quickly and efficiently to decrease the risk of your startup.
Using the scientific method to test your individual assumptions may not always give you the answer you wanted, but it can be fun and rewarding—and much better to find your problems before your customer does!
Why This Step, and Why Now?
As mentioned in the previous step, the price of poker is about to go up significantly. You need to de‐risk as much of your plan as possible now. With all that you have done, you have a strong holistic picture of the potential of the Beachhead Market. With this plan on the verge of being converted into action, the final questions are:
- Can you build this?
- Can you execute this in the real world (because there are sure to be surprises)?
The first question is easier to address and you will get to that in Step 22, Define the Minimum Viable Business Product (MVBP). But what trips up a new venture is the second question, so in this step you are looking ...