Hypothesis-Driven Development
Frame changes as testable hypotheses with measurable outcomes.
Explanation
Rather than making changes based on hunches or opinions, frame your ideas as testable hypotheses with specific predictions and measurable outcomes. This approach, borrowed from the scientific method, makes your assumptions explicit and creates systematic learning opportunities. It prevents teams from building things based on what they think will work rather than what they can prove will work.
Real-World Example
Not: 'Users will love this feature.' But: 'We believe adding social sharing will increase user retention by 15% as measured by 30-day active rate.' Not: 'This will improve performance.' But: 'Caching will reduce load time by 50% as measured by p95 latency.'
How to Apply
Template: We believe [change] will cause [outcome] as measured by [metric]. Set success criteria before starting. Run smallest test possible. Set time limit. If hypothesis fails, learn why. Document: Hypothesis, Result, Learning, Next hypothesis. Build learning loops, not just features.