4: Test

Test

Test prototype and check assumptions

Testing is the final phase in the design process. In this phase you need to find out whether the assumptions you made in the design process are true or not and what influence this has on your business design. Here your research strategy is of the utmost importance. You need to ask yourself; what do I want to measure? How do I want to measure it? When I measure, will I measure what I want to measure? Will the results of my research be representative, reliable and valid.

In this final stage, the most important questions you want to answer are about the Innovation Space:

  • is the product feasible

    • technically

    • price wise

  • is the product desirable

    • experience

    • features

    • benefits

  • is the business viable

    • volumes

    • gross margin

    • costs for marketing and distribution

    • overheads

How to get started:

  1. formulate critical path to success

  2. formulate critical assumptions

  3. test prototype to check assumptions

  4. repeat step 2 and 3 when necessary

First check you business design for critical assumptions. Then formulate a main research question or hypothesis for each critical assumption and add sub-questions that specify the main question. Then elaborate on:

  • Research strategy and methodology

  • Research activities

  • Obstacles in obtaining information

  • Your strategy to overcome those obstacles

  • Reflection on the research process

  • List of papers and publications used

  • List of other resources and sources of information

continue: https://sites.google.com/site/moocmodules/research-for-entrepreneurs/design-thinking/test