Validate an Idea

Riskiest assumptions first, cheapest test next, a pre-committed kill line, then a decision, all before building. Built from 182 insights from 82 Lenny's Podcast guests. Lead team: Mike Maples Jr., Eric Ries, Jake Knapp.

When to use

• A founder, PM or exec has an idea and asks should we build it?
• A PRD, pitch or roadmap item has no evidence section, or its evidence is 'users asked for it'.
• A team can't scope an MVP, or the MVP keeps growing.
• Early feedback is all positive and nobody can say what would change the plan.
• You need to decide between several ideas or wedges (side project, new bet inside a company, AI feature).
• Someone says 'customers would pay for this' and there is no payment, pre-order or invoice behind it.
• You want a one-week test plan (sprint, prototype, fake door, concierge) instead of a quarter of building.