Week 5 · learning day 5
Causality, validity, A/A, A/B, and growth hacking
A/B and A/A Testing, MVP and Growth Hacking · 60–90 minutes
Today’s outcomes
- Explain causality, validity, a/a, a/b, and growth hacking in the context of a/b and a/a testing, mvp and growth hacking.
- Decide a product decision using the source outcome rather than intuition alone.
- Produce a reusable section of an experiment and mvp plan.
Source trace
W05-O05Understand what information is needed from potential consumers and the means to get the same, and when you can go to market with a minimum viable product or MVP, given the context of your NPD process.
Core lesson
Make the choice inspectable
Causality, validity, A/A, A/B, and growth hacking matters when it changes a real allocation of attention, money, time, or delivery capacity. Match evidence strength and delivery speed to the cost of being wrong.
Start by naming the decision and the uncertainty around it. Separate evidence from assumptions, compare at least one alternative, and state what would make you revise the choice.
The source outcome for today is: Understand what information is needed from potential consumers and the means to get the same, and when you can go to market with a minimum viable product or MVP, given the context of your NPD process.
What decision will causality, validity, a/a, a/b, and growth hacking improve, what evidence is sufficient for that decision, and what is the cost of being wrong?
Worked example
Causality, validity, A/A, A/B, and growth hacking in practice
For a workflow product for small accounting teams, the product manager must decide a choice about causality, validity, a/a, a/b, and growth hacking. The team records the target user and outcome, the evidence currently available, the strongest alternative, and the next reversible test. The recommendation is written as a choice with a reason—not as a list of features.
Do the work · 20 minutes
Turn the idea into a decision
- Choose a product you know and write the specific decision that causality, validity, a/a, a/b, and growth hacking should support.
- List two pieces of evidence, two assumptions, and one credible alternative.
- Make a recommendation in three sentences and add one condition that would change it.
Save to your portfolio
An experiment and MVP plan — section: Causality, validity, A/A, A/B, and growth hacking
Knowledge check
Answer before opening
What is the decision at the centre of causality, validity, a/a, a/b, and growth hacking?
A good answer names an accountable choice, not merely an activity or output.
How should evidence and assumptions be separated?
Label observed facts, interpretations, and untested beliefs explicitly so the next learning step is visible.
What makes the recommendation revisable?
It includes a trigger, threshold, or new evidence that would justify changing course.
What should the portfolio artefact communicate?
The context, considered alternatives, chosen direction, rationale, evidence, and remaining risk.
Spaced review
Reconnect the learning
Reflection