Rapid Experimentation
Running quick, low-cost experiments to test ideas and learn before major investments.
Also known as: Quick experiments, Hypothesis testing, Iterative testing
Category: Techniques
Tags: innovations, experimentation, learning, lean, agile
Explanation
Rapid experimentation is the practice of testing ideas through quick, low-cost experiments rather than extensive planning and analysis. The approach: form hypotheses, design minimal tests, run experiments quickly, measure results, and iterate. This replaces: long planning cycles, extensive research, and big bets based on assumptions. Rapid experimentation is central to: lean startup methodology, growth hacking, and scientific management. Key principles include: test the riskiest assumptions first, make experiments as small as possible, define success criteria upfront, and be willing to kill ideas quickly. The goal is learning speed - the faster you can run experiments, the faster you learn what works. Challenges include: ensuring experiments actually test the hypothesis, avoiding experimenting on everything instead of deciding, and building organizational tolerance for failed experiments. For knowledge workers, rapid experimentation means: testing before committing, treating beliefs as hypotheses, and valuing learning over being right.
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