User Research & Validation Plan
Key Assumptions to Validate
| Assumption | Risk | Method | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developers frequently miss API changes that impact production. | High | Interviews, surveys | 80% of developers confirm this pain point |
| Current solutions (RSS, email, manual checking) are inadequate. | Medium | Competitive analysis + user interviews | Specific complaints documented |
| Developers will pay $49/month for automated API change tracking. | Critical | Pricing tests, pre-orders | 10+ paying customers at target price |
| AI-powered change detection will be accurate enough. | Critical | Quality testing with experts | 90% accuracy rating |
Customer Discovery Interview Guide
Interview Framework (60-90 minutes)
- Background & Context: Understand the developer's role and challenges.
- Problem Exploration: Dive into specific instances of missed API changes.
- Current Solutions: Discuss existing tools and their shortcomings.
- Solution Exploration: Gauge interest in automated API change tracking.
- Wrap-up: Assess problem severity and willingness to pay.
8-Week Validation Plan
Week 1-2
Week 3-4
Week 5-6
Week 7-8
Conduct interviews, send surveys
Launch landing page, run A/B tests
Conduct pricing interviews, test pre-orders
Build Wizard of Oz MVP, collect feedback
Go/No-Go Decision Criteria
| Metric | Target | Actual | Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interview problem validation | 80%+ confirm pain | TBD | ☐ |
| Landing page signup rate | >5% | TBD | ☐ |
| Price acceptance | 60%+ at target price | TBD | ☐ |
| Pre-orders | 10+ customers | TBD | ☐ |
| Prototype NPS | >40 | TBD | ☐ |
Recommendations
- Start with customer discovery interviews to validate the pain points.
- Run landing page A/B tests to gauge initial interest.
- Use Wizard of Oz MVP for early feedback before full development.
- Test pricing sensitivity through pre-orders and fake door tests.