hypothesis person standing on rock surrounded by a body of water
It is common to make an assertion, based on an assumption that is believed to be true, and where we do not have enough evidence to know for sure whether the assertion is true. And, to be considered a valid scientific hypothesis, it must also be possible to test the assertion. In agile product development, a common way to frame a hypothesis is to: define a desired outcome; express how we believe the outcome can be achieved; and articulate how we will know whether we achieved the outcome. By way of example, in Scrum, each iteration (Sprint) is a controlled (time-bounded) experiment, where each epic, and its child user stories, forms a hypothesis that helps align the members of teams and teams on the desired outcomes.

Related Media

Hypothesis Video

Hypothesis Podcasts

Hypothesis Example

Related Subjects

Epic

Scrum

User Story

Acknowledgments

Authored by Steve Moubray

Edited by Philip Rogers

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash

 

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About the author

I'm a Lean-Agile Coach with a passion for Community Building and just celebrated our 5-year Meetup anniversary with over 2,000 members. With over 20+ years of experience in all different levels from the mailroom to the boardroom. My main focus the past few years has been helping organizations embrace Agility through Lean Portfolio Management, Program Management, launching Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and helping to create Lean Agile Centers of Excellence. Bringing people together is one of my passions and I host a large and successful Meetup which has celebrated our 5 year anniversary and love seeing all the smiles and happy faces. I was also the co-chair for A20dmv.org celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Agile Manifesto in the DC Metro area. Growing and coaching new leaders is important to me and when I heard Gapbuster.org needed hosting a new website, I pulled some friends together and we delivered. I'm blessed, not only by an amazing agile community but also by my loving family. My wife Nataliya is an avid gardener and speaks 3 languages fluently. I love my children (Tatiana and Max) more than anything in this world but realize nothing loves me more than my eldest dog Sigyn. Now I'm becoming a part-time soccer coach for Max so he's able to continue playing with his amazing friends.