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Hypothesis-Driven Development

Alex Cowan

To deliver agile outcomes, you have to do more than implement agile processes- you have to create focus around what matters to your user and constantly test your ideas. This is easier said than done, but most of today’s high-functioning innovators have a strong culture of experimentation.

In this course, you’ll learn how to identify the right questions at the right time, and pair them with the right methods to do just enough testing to make sure you minimize waste and maximize the outcomes you create with your user.

Read more

To deliver agile outcomes, you have to do more than implement agile processes- you have to create focus around what matters to your user and constantly test your ideas. This is easier said than done, but most of today’s high-functioning innovators have a strong culture of experimentation.

In this course, you’ll learn how to identify the right questions at the right time, and pair them with the right methods to do just enough testing to make sure you minimize waste and maximize the outcomes you create with your user.

This course is supported by the Batten Institute at UVA’s Darden School of Business. The Batten Institute’s mission is to improve the world through entrepreneurship and innovation: www.batteninstitute.org.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

How Do We Know if We're Building for a User that Doesn't Exist?
How do you go from backlog grooming to blockbuster results with agile? Hypothesis-driven decisions. Specifically, you need to shift your teammates focus from their natural tendency to focus on their own output to focusing out user outcomes. Easier said than done, but getting everyone excited about results of an experiment is one of the most reliable ways to get there. This week, we’ll focus on how you get started in a practical way.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for teams and professionals looking to enhance agile practices with innovative approaches
Taught by experts from a reputable institution with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation
Focuses on practical methods for testing hypotheses and minimizing waste
Covers a wide range of topics, from identifying user needs to delivering software
Emphasizes usability testing and continuous delivery practices

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Reviews summary

Hypothesis testing for product outcomes

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive introduction to applying hypothesis-driven thinking within agile and lean development cycles. Many found the concepts presented highly relevant and useful for improving product development processes and focusing teams on user outcomes. Specific modules, such as those on usability testing and concept testing, were frequently highlighted as actionable and impactful. While the majority of reviews are positive, a segment of students felt the course leaned too heavily on theory and could benefit from more practical examples or deeper guidance on implementation in real-world scenarios. The instructor is generally perceived as knowledgeable and engaging.
Instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.
"Instructor is knowledgeable."
"Solid content, instructor is engaging."
"Getting everyone excited about results of an experiment is one of the most reliable ways to get there. This week, we’ll focus on how you get started in a practical way."
Connects well with modern development methodologies.
"Excellent course that ties together agile/lean concepts with practical experimentation."
"Worth taking if you are in product management or engineering leadership looking to improve team effectiveness. The tie-in with continuous delivery was insightful."
"It reinforces concepts from Lean Startup/Agile... Useful for beginners maybe."
Modules on testing were particularly valuable.
"Really enjoyed this course! The modules on usability testing were particularly helpful and actionable."
"The tools you’ll learn to use here (a test plan template, prototyping tool, and test session infrastructure) are accessible/teachable to anyone on your team."
"Nothing will help a team deliver better outcomes like making sure they’re building something the user values... I think after this week it’s likely you’ll find opportunities to help improve your team’s focus by testing ideas more definitively before you invest."
Concepts are highly applicable in agile teams.
"Excellent course that ties together agile/lean concepts with practical experimentation. The focus on hypothesis testing for product development is invaluable."
"Really enjoyed this course! The modules on usability testing were particularly helpful and actionable."
"Highly recommend! This course changed how my team approaches feature development. Testing assumptions *before* building is such a time-saver."
Some found it too theoretical, needing more how-to.
"Decent overview, but felt a bit too theoretical at times. While it covers good concepts, implementing them in practice needs more guidance than provided."
"Expected more practical tools and examples. Felt like a high-level lecture series rather than a hands-on course."
"Concepts are good, but not enough detail on *how* to do it. Did not meet my expectations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Hypothesis-Driven Development with these activities:
Review 'Lean Startup' Concepts
Review the core concepts of Lean Startup to refresh your memory and prepare for the course.
Browse courses on Lean Startup
Show steps
  • Read the Executive Summary and Chapter 1 of 'The Lean Startup'
  • Create a mind map summarizing the key concepts
Write a Product Hypothesis
Develop a hypothesis statement that articulates your assumptions about your product concept.
Show steps
  • Identify the key elements of your product concept
  • State your hypothesis clearly and concisely
  • Define metrics to measure the success of your hypothesis
Design a Product Concept
Apply Lean Startup principles to design a product concept that solves a real-world problem.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem worth solving
  • Brainstorm potential solutions
  • Sketch out a product concept
  • Test your concept with potential users
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
User Interview Practice
Practice conducting user interviews to gather feedback and insights on your product concept.
Show steps
  • Find a willing interviewee
  • Prepare open-ended questions
  • Conduct the interview
  • Analyze the interview results
Discuss Product Concept and Hypothesis
Share your product concept and hypothesis with peers for feedback and discussion.
Show steps
  • Find a peer group or study buddy
  • Present your concept and hypothesis
  • Listen to feedback and ask questions
Read 'Design Sprint' by Jake Knapp
Learn about the Design Sprint process to rapidly develop and test product ideas.
Show steps
  • Read through the book and take notes
  • Identify key takeaways and apply them to your current project
Contribute to an Agile Development Tool
Contribute to open-source agile development tools to gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of the Agile process.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source agile development tool to contribute to
  • Identify an area where you can make a contribution
  • Submit a code change or feature request
Mentor Junior Agile Team Members
Share your knowledge and experience with junior agile team members to help them develop their skills.
Show steps
  • Identify junior agile team members who need guidance
  • Set up regular mentoring sessions
  • Provide guidance and support on Agile practices and principles
Create a Study Guide
Organize your notes, assignments, and other materials into a comprehensive study guide for future reference.
Show steps
  • Gather all relevant materials
  • Organize the materials into a logical structure
  • Review the materials and identify key concepts

Career center

Learners who complete Hypothesis-Driven Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
UX Designer
UX Designers are responsible for designing the user experience of products. They work closely with Product Managers and Engineers to create products that are easy to use and enjoyable. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides UX Designers with the skills and knowledge they need to design effective user experiences. The course covers topics such as user research, prototyping, and information architecture.
See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer
UX Researcher
UX Researchers are responsible for understanding the needs of users and designing products that are easy to use and enjoyable. They use a variety of research methods, including user interviews, surveys, and A/B testing, to gather data about users' experiences with products. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides UX Researchers with the skills and knowledge they need to design and conduct effective user research studies. The course covers topics such as user research methods, data analysis, and prototyping.
See salaries and explore the career path for UX Researcher
Product Owner
Product Owners are responsible for defining the vision and roadmap for a product. They work closely with stakeholders to gather requirements, prioritize features, and track progress. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Product Owners with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective Product Owners. The course covers topics such as product vision, roadmapping, and stakeholder management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Owner
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers are responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. They work closely with both teams to ensure that software is developed and deployed efficiently and reliably. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides DevOps Engineers with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective DevOps Engineers. The course covers topics such as continuous integration, continuous delivery, and infrastructure management.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Scrum Master
Scrum Masters are responsible for facilitating agile development teams. They work closely with team members to help them adopt agile practices and improve their productivity. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Scrum Masters with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective Scrum Masters. The course covers topics such as agile principles, Scrum ceremonies, and team facilitation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Scrum Master
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. They work closely with Product Managers and UX Researchers to bring products to market that meet the needs of users. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Software Engineers with the skills and knowledge they need to build software that is reliable, efficient, and user-friendly. The course covers topics such as agile development, testing, and data analysis.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Agile Coach
Agile Coaches are responsible for helping organizations adopt agile practices. They work closely with teams to help them improve their agility and productivity. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Agile Coaches with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective Agile Coaches. The course covers topics such as agile principles, agile practices, and team coaching.
See salaries and explore the career path for Agile Coach
Technical Writer
Technical Writers are responsible for creating documentation for software products. They work closely with Engineers and Product Managers to create documentation that is clear, concise, and helpful. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Technical Writers with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective Technical Writers. The course covers topics such as documentation planning, writing, and editing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use a variety of statistical and machine learning techniques to identify trends and patterns in data. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Data Scientists with the skills and knowledge they need to design and conduct effective data analysis studies. The course covers topics such as data collection, data analysis, and data visualization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Business Analyst
Business Analysts are responsible for understanding the needs of businesses and designing solutions that meet those needs. They work closely with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop recommendations. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Business Analysts with the skills and knowledge they need to design and conduct effective business analysis studies. The course covers topics such as requirements gathering, data analysis, and solution design.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work closely with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and track project progress. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Project Managers with the skills and knowledge they need to manage projects effectively. The course covers topics such as project planning, project execution, and project closure.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Data Analyst
Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. They work closely with stakeholders to identify data needs, develop data analysis plans, and present findings. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Data Analysts with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective Data Analysts. The course covers topics such as data collection, data analysis, and data visualization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for testing software to ensure that it meets quality standards. They work closely with Engineers to identify and fix bugs. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Quality Assurance Analysts with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective Quality Assurance Analysts. The course covers topics such as testing methods, bug tracking, and quality assurance processes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the success of a product throughout its lifecycle, from ideation to launch and beyond. They work closely with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to bring products to market that meet the needs of users. The Hypothesis-Driven Development course provides Product Managers with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about product development, based on data and evidence. The course covers topics such as user research, A/B testing, and data analysis. This course may be particularly useful for Product Managers who are looking to improve their skills in agile development and user-centered design.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Hypothesis-Driven Development.
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Classic in the field of lean development. It provides a comprehensive overview of the lean startup methodology, including how to validate your ideas, build a minimum viable product, and measure your progress.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Lean Analytics
Save
Provides a practical guide to using data to drive decision-making in startups. It is particularly useful for understanding the concepts of hypothesis-driven development and how to measure the impact of your experiments.
Lean Analytics: Use Data to Build a Better Startup...
Paperback
$$
(Español) Lean Analytics: Cómo utilizar los datos para crear...
Kindle Edition
$
(中文) 精益数据分析...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Testing Business Ideas
Save
Provides a practical guide to testing your business ideas quickly and cheaply. It is particularly useful for understanding the different types of experiments you can run and how to interpret the results.
Testing Business Ideas: A Field Guide for Rapid...
Paperback
$$
Testing Business Ideas: A Field Guide for Rapid...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Sprint
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to the sprint process, a five-day method for developing and testing new ideas. It is particularly useful for understanding how to use design thinking to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New...
Hardcover
$$
(Español) Sprint: El método para resolver problemas y testar...
Kindle Edition
$
Penguin Readers Level 6: Sprint (ELT Graded Reader)
Paperback
$$
Cover image
User Story Mapping
Save
Provides a practical guide to user story mapping, a technique for capturing user needs and translating them into actionable requirements. It is particularly useful for understanding how to write user stories that are testable and valuable.
User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story, Build...
Paperback
$$
(Deutsch) User Story Mapping: Die Technik für besseres...
Kindle Edition
$$
[(User Story Mapping : Building Better Products...
Paperback
$$
(Français) Le story mapping - Visualisez vos user stories pour...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
Save
Collection of essays on the challenges of building a successful business. It is particularly useful for understanding the challenges of leadership and decision-making.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a...
Hardcover
$$
The Hard Thing About Hard Things [Hardcover] By Ben...
Paperback
$$
(Español) Emprender y liderar una startup: El duro camino has...
Kindle Edition
$
The Hard Thing About Hard Things [Hardcover],...
Paperback
$$
The hard thing about hard things: ondernemen zonder...
Paperback
$$$
Summary of 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben...
Audible Audiobook
$
Cover image
Creativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition)
Save
Provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process at Pixar Animation Studios. It is particularly useful for understanding the importance of culture and collaboration in innovation.
Creativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition): Overcoming...
Hardcover
$$
Creativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition): Overcoming...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Save
Provides a framework for understanding why large companies often fail to innovate. It is particularly useful for understanding the challenges of disruptive innovation and how to overcome them.
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Paperback
$$
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Crux
Save
Provides a framework for developing good strategy. It is particularly useful for understanding the elements of a good strategy and how to avoid common pitfalls.
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
Hardcover
$$
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Innovation by Design
Save
Provides a practical guide to design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving. It is particularly useful for understanding the different stages of the design thinking process and how to use it to develop innovative solutions.
Innovation by Design: How Any Organization Can...
Paperback
$$
Innovation by Design: How Any Organization Can...
Kindle Edition
$

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Effort
4 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/week
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Virginia
Instructor
Alex Cowan
Language
English
Transcripts
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Hypothesis-Driven Development belongs to the following collections:
  1. Agile Development
  2. Digital Product Management
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for teams and professionals looking to enhance agile practices with innovative approaches
Taught by experts from a reputable institution with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation
Focuses on practical methods for testing hypotheses and minimizing waste
Covers a wide range of topics, from identifying user needs to delivering software
Emphasizes usability testing and continuous delivery practices
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