Product Hypothesis Canvas
We are increasingly shifting from projects centered on the demands of customers or users to projects focused on product hypotheses.
There are several reasons for this.
On the one hand, we are expected to implement new functions within increasingly shorter deadlines. That’s because the competition is getting fiercer, and the world, thanks to modern technology, keeps speeding up and getting more complex.
On the other hand, having more diverse groups of users means facing more diverse needs. We are moving at full speed towards an entirely customizable world. And this creates an even greater demand for instantaneous product adjustments.
If “demands” require implementation, then “hypotheses,” above all, need to be tested. But before that, the hypotheses must be coherently articulated. Which is not always as easy as we would have wanted.
We believe that the more coherent the hypothesis, the more fruitful testing it will be. Testing in this sense covers not just the verification of the actual hypothesis, but also any possible insights that may be gathered in the process. To structure and simplify the process of articulating your hypothesis, we have singled out the following questions, which you can answer sequentially.
The Product Hypothesis Canvas helps you create more effective hypotheses. Keep in mind that the canvas does not do the work for you; it simply helps you focus on the task at hand and reach a more effective solution.
The steps for filling out the Product Hypothesis Canvas
1. We believe that…
Here, we describe what we plan to develop.
2. For (whom)…
In this block, we define our target audience and, if required, evaluate its role in our project.This step is very important, as it will later help us rank our hypotheses by their relevance to our project. Sometimes, project team members become utterly seduced by an interesting idea, and end up forgetting that it is only applicable to a few isolated cases.In fact, if the author is unable to coherently explain whom their hypothesis is going to benefit, it’s very likely that they are just indulging in random guesswork. That is like when a pool player breaks with a powerful strike, hoping to pocket a ball at random. In the same way, product managers and designers generate hypotheses with no connection to the users, hoping that at least someone is going to be interested. Be really careful with such hypotheses; it may be worth the time to think about them in greater detail.
3. To achieve…
It is also important to determine what kind of result we are expecting from our experiment. Moreover, the result should preferably be measurable in specific terms. Don’t write, “We must do better!” It’s better to express your expectations like, “We must improve [product] by 5%.”Depending on the hypothesis, we may have different expectations for short-term and long-term results. Many people prefer to focus on short-term results and avoid working with hypotheses that have more far-reaching goals. But when we create our hypothesis, we must be aware of how long it will take to test it: a day, a week, a month, or maybe even longer. With that in mind, we will later be able to plan a backlog of our experiment.
4. How do we measure this?
The ability to measure the results is the key parameter for testing product hypotheses. While we already mentioned what we are going to measure in the previous step, here we describe the kinds of tools we are going to use for this. What signals will indicate that the opportunity we have created is impactful? Which key performance indicators (qualitative or quantitative) are we going to measure to prove our experiment was successful?
5. Impact, positive or negative
We have introduced this block in case we want to approach our hypothesis as something beyond a single objective. Filling it in is not mandatory.In some cases, the introduction of a certain function has a negative impact on other parameters within the system. For example, we add an extensive, informative presentationto our home page, hoping to increase user engagement. However, the presentation impacts the page’s loading speed, which, contrary to our intent, increases the bounce rate, potentially reducing engagement. In this specific case, the higher bounce rate is probably not caused by the functionality itself but by its bulkiness and poor implementation.
This template was created by Podluzny.
Get started with this template right now.
Gantt Chart for Project Scheduling
Works best for:
Planning, Strategy
Gantt Chart for Project Scheduling helps you plan and visualize project timelines. It enables you to manage tasks, deadlines, and dependencies, ensuring efficient project execution. Ideal for project managers looking to streamline their scheduling process.
The Product Hunt
Works best for:
Product Management, Planning
The Product Hunt template provides a platform for collecting and prioritizing product ideas. By allowing teams to submit, review, and vote on ideas, this template fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. With features for categorizing ideas, tracking progress, and celebrating successes, it promotes transparency and engagement across teams. This template serves as a central hub for capturing and nurturing innovative ideas, driving continuous improvement and product innovation.
Agile Team Events with Jira Template
Works best for:
Agile , Agile workflows
The Agile Team Events with Jira template in Miro is designed to streamline Agile workflows and enhance team collaboration. This template integrates seamlessly with Jira, allowing teams to manage their Agile events such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives directly within Miro. One significant benefit of this template is its ability to provide real-time updates. Any changes made in Miro can be synced back to Jira, ensuring that all team members are on the same page and that the project management tool reflects the latest status. This feature helps in maintaining consistency and accuracy across all Agile processes, reducing the risk of miscommunication and enhancing overall productivity.
Sprint Planning with Jira Template
Works best for:
Sprint Planning, Agile
The Sprint Planning with Jira template in Miro is a powerful tool designed to streamline and enhance your sprint planning sessions. One of the key benefits of this template is its Jira integration, which saves time and effort when planning and aligning teams. By integrating directly with Jira, the template allows for seamless import and management of tasks, ensuring that all your Jira tickets are up-to-date and easily accessible within Miro. This reduces the need for manual updates and minimizes errors, making the planning process more efficient and effective.
Festival Retrospective
Works best for:
Retrospectives, Meetings, Agile Methodology
The Festival Retrospective template offers a unique and engaging approach to retrospectives by framing the session as a festive event. It provides elements for reflecting on past experiences, celebrating achievements, and setting goals for the future. This template enables teams to foster a positive and celebratory atmosphere, encouraging open communication and collaboration. By promoting a festive spirit, the Festival Retrospective empowers teams to strengthen bonds, boost morale, and drive continuous improvement effectively.
Fishbone Diagram for Quality Control
Works best for:
Fishbone diagram
Maintaining high standards of quality is vital in any industry. The Fishbone Diagram for Quality Control template helps you identify and analyze the root causes of quality issues. Use it to categorize potential causes into areas such as materials, methods, manpower, and machinery. This structured approach ensures a thorough examination of all possible factors affecting quality, leading to more effective solutions and continuous improvement.