Lean Experiment Canvas + Test/Learn Cards

Use it when you need to validate risky assumptions fast without building a full product.

What is it?

The Lean Experiment Canvas paired with Test/Learn Cards is a structured growth playbook for turning big ideas into validated insights.

It starts with a one-page canvas where you declare your problem, solution hypothesis, target metric and key risks. Then you break that canvas into bite-sized Test Cards that outline experiment setups, audience, channel, success criteria, and complementary Learn Cards that capture results. This duo tackles the biggest drag on scaling: untested assumptions. Instead of guessing what features or channels will stick, you design rapid, low-cost experiments that generate real data.

Whether you're an indie hacker or a product team, the canvas + cards combo helps you prioritize which risks to attack first, keeps everyone aligned on objectives, and delivers actionable learnings at every step.

Why it matters?

Untested ideas are the silent killer of growth pipelines. This framework slashes waste by turning every assumption into a mini-experiment, so you only build what works. Faster validation means higher conversion, better retention and a roadmap driven by evidence, not gut.

How it works

Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.

Frame your hypothesis

Fill out the Canvas's problem statement, solution idea, target segment and leap-of-faith assumption to nail down what you're testing and why it matters.

Identify key metrics

Choose a single north-star metric and supporting guardrail metrics, this focuses your experiment on a clear, measurable outcome.

Break into Test Cards

For each assumption, create a Test Card with a brief description, audience, channel, method, and success criteria.

Run the experiments

Execute low-fidelity tests (ads, landing pages, mockups) quickly and cheaply. Track results in real time and adjust parameters as needed.

Capture learnings on Learn Cards

After each test, summarize results, data, insights, surprises, and evaluate whether to pivot, iterate, or scale.

Decide next steps

Use your Learn Cards to prioritize follow-up experiments, scrap bad ideas, or move validated features into development.

Repeat the loop

Constantly cycle through canvas updates, tests, and learnings to de-risk your roadmap and accelerate growth.

Frequently asked questions

Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.

What's the difference between the Canvas and the Cards?

The Canvas gives you a high-level hypothesis roadmap; Test Cards break that roadmap into individual experiments, and Learn Cards capture each experiment's results for clear decision-making.

What's the difference between the Canvas and the Cards?

The Canvas gives you a high-level hypothesis roadmap; Test Cards break that roadmap into individual experiments, and Learn Cards capture each experiment's results for clear decision-making.

How many Experiments should I run at once?

One big leaping assumption per Test Card. Run 1–2 concurrent tests to maintain focus and get clean insights without spreading your team too thin.

How many Experiments should I run at once?

One big leaping assumption per Test Card. Run 1–2 concurrent tests to maintain focus and get clean insights without spreading your team too thin.

Which metrics should I track?

Pick one primary north-star metric tied to your business outcome (eg, activation rate) and up to two guardrails (eg, cost per acquisition). That combo keeps experiments sharp and aligned with growth goals.

Which metrics should I track?

How do I decide to pivot or persevere?

Use preset success criteria on your Test Card. If you hit your target metric and learn something valuable, persevere. If you miss it badly or uncover a false assumption, pivot or kill the test.

How do I decide to pivot or persevere?

Use preset success criteria on your Test Card. If you hit your target metric and learn something valuable, persevere. If you miss it badly or uncover a false assumption, pivot or kill the test.

Can this fit into an agile workflow?

Absolutely. Treat each Test/Learn cycle like a sprint. Plan cards in your backlog, define acceptance criteria, run a short experiment sprint, then review Learn Cards in your retro to decide the next sprint's focus.

Can this fit into an agile workflow?

You've turned hypotheses into validated learnings, now run your results through the CrackGrowth diagnostic to uncover hidden leaks in your growth funnel before you scale.

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