from Hacker News

Validation Board, A Free Tool to Vet Your Startup Idea

by trevor99 on 10/2/12, 2:39 PM with 5 comments

  • by 255martyn on 10/2/12, 6:25 PM

    I found the breakdown between customer and problem hypothesis very interesting. I'm currently working on a tool to store ideas(blatant self promotion: http://www.255ideas.com). I was very interested in the customer/problem/solution hypothesis model. I think having directed fields may help guide the user in writing down their idea. But I also have to wonder, does it force the idea into a structure that it wouldn't take otherwise? Perhaps it would filter ideas that aren't focused on creating on solving a problem. Awesome ideas might not make the cut, for example, draw something.

    IMO the most effective way to show an idea is with a prototype. It's also the hardest.

    I also like the ability to add assumptions that are validated/invalidated. The focus on business plan is very cool.

    Thanks for the link.

  • by mea36 on 10/2/12, 4:51 PM

    I did a Lean Startup Machine workshop the other weekend where we learned to utilize this board. It was an awesome workshop and I learned a lot.

    This board helps you iterate over your idea. It's like agile development, but focusing on the idea.

  • by adrianhoward on 10/2/12, 5:02 PM

    Whenever I see tools like this I look up at my whiteboard and go "this does it better" :-)

    Never underestimate the power of a big chunk of wall you can write on and stick things to.

  • by dchuk on 10/2/12, 5:49 PM

  • by leansf on 10/2/12, 3:24 PM

    Great tool!