Validation Report
Summarise evidence, assumptions tested, and next validation steps.
A validation report summarises assumptions tested, evidence, residual risks, and next experiments — the audit trail of learning before scale.
Investors and leadership need proof you tested, not just built. Reports prevent repeating failed bets.
End of validation sprints, pre-fundraise, before major GTM spend. Strategy pack validate phase.
- List critical assumptions from BMC/SWOT.
- Document experiments run and results.
- Grade validated/invalidated/open.
- Summarise residual risks.
- Recommend scale, pivot, or stop per area.
- Evidence cited with dates.
- Invalidated assumptions honoured.
- Clear next steps with owners.
- Cherry-picked positives only.
- No link to original assumption IDs.
- Report written once, never updated.
Northvale Systems validation: pilot with 40 suppliers — 78% first-pass upload, audit prep down 30%; failed assumption that suppliers would use desktop only.
Acme Analytics validated CFO ROI narrative; invalidated self-serve for enterprise — report recommended sales-assisted motion for >200 employees.
Harbor Consulting validated webinar diagnostics; open assumption: IoT partner channel — next experiment co-branded pilot.
Clearwater Initiative validation: 12-point pilot — 88% on-time tests, repair median 60h; failed assumption that committees need weekly in-person visits.
/validate validation-report, IDs VALR-01. Consumes OST, risk matrix; feeds critique phase.
Related techniques
Sources & further reading
- Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup. Crown Business.