Prototype, test, iterate

Definition

Confronting an imperfect version with a real audience quickly, gathering an actionable signal, improving through short cycles, and knowing how to decide — persevere, adjust or pivot. Iteration is the antidote to both paralysing perfectionism and blind stubbornness.

Components

• Minimum prototype: show early, show imperfect, show anyway
• Testing with real users or recipients, outside the circle of indulgence
• Gathering actionable feedback: open questions, observation, usage signals
• Short cycles: improving through small loops rather than large overhauls
• Decision criteria: persevere, adjust or pivot — decided in advance, not in the heat of the moment
• Documenting what is learned: capitalising on what each cycle teaches

The four levels

1. N1 Discovery Lower secondary · complete beginner

   Is able to show a first imperfect version of their work and to gather opinions.

   Evidence of assessment

   Show a prototype to five people and record their feedback.

2. N2 Application Upper secondary · advanced beginner

   Is able to turn feedback into concrete improvements.

   Evidence of assessment

   Present a version 1, the feedback gathered, and a version 2 with the list of changes and their origin.

3. N3 Adaptation Tertiary · junior professional

   Is able to run iteration cycles with explicit decision criteria.

   Evidence of assessment

   Document three iteration cycles with measurements and decisions taken: continue, adjust or pivot.

4. N4 Orchestration Experienced professional

   Is able to establish a culture of experimentation within a collective project.

   Evidence of assessment

   Set up a permanent testing scheme for a team, illustrated with decisions taken from the field.