Your First Small Test

Design one small, cheap test with real people.

Workbook
8 pages
Google Docs · Word · PDF

Making this yourself would take about 8 hours: working out the steps, writing the examples and setting it up in Google, Microsoft and PDF. It's done for you.

This document

Your First Small Test, all three formats

Validation pack

This one plus 2 more Validation documents

$15

The voice in this video is George's, made with AI.

What it's for

You believe something big about your idea. You need to check it with real people before you put in more time or money. Use it to design that check.

What you'll need: One thing you want to check, a few real people to try it with, a notebook or a free spreadsheet, and one to three weeks. Little or no money.

Pairs well with

Is This Idea Worth Pursuing? (decide what to test)
Test Tracker (track several tests side by side)
What Did You Learn? (read the result)

What you'll leave with

One important question you can test with real people.
The smallest useful test that can actually teach you something.
What you'll watch for, written down before you see the result.
A clean record of what actually happened.
A next move you can explain, and a reusable Small Test Brief.

Look inside

Sample page from Your First Small Test. Page 2: Design the Smallest Useful Test. — Page 2: Design the Smallest Useful Test.

Sample page from Your First Small Test. Page 4: Decide What You Will Watch Before You Run It. — Page 4: Decide What You Will Watch Before You Run It.

How to use it

Work through the steps in order. Each one has a worked example and space to write your own answer.

Define the QuestionPick one thing you don't know yet that could change what you do next.
Design the Smallest Useful TestCompare a weak test with a stronger one, and see how much each action really tells you.
Decide What You Will Watch Before You Run ItSet your passing mark now, and list what else could explain the result.
Run the Test Without Rescuing ItLet real people respond to the version you designed, and don't move the goalposts.
Record What HappenedWrite the plain facts while they're fresh.
Choose Your Next MoveDecide what the test changed in what you understand.
Tools That Help HereSee the free tools that help.
Do It With AIUse the prompts to design a fair test.
Your Small Test BriefFill in the one-page record to save and copy.

Tips

One test, one question. If you're testing three things, you won't know which one mattered.
Write what counts as a yes before you start. Don't change it afterward.
A useful test doesn't have to win. It has to teach you something.

Three formats, one purchase

Google DocsMake a copy in your Google Drive and type straight into it.
Microsoft WordDownload and fill it in on your computer.
PDFPrint it and fill it in with a pen.

Validation pack

Also in the Validation pack

3 documents in all

Workbook7 pages
What Did You Learn?
Turn one real result into a clear decision about what to do next.
About 7 hours to make yourself
$7See what's inside
Spreadsheet4 pages
Test Tracker
Record each test, what counted as a yes, and what happened.
About 6 hours to make yourself
$7See what's inside

Ready to start?

Pay once, keep it, and download it as often as you like.