Decide when validation is strong enough to move forward

Validation is not about achieving perfect certainty. It is about gathering enough signals to reduce risk and move ahead responsibly. Teams need clear criteria that define what “validated” means for their context. These could be minimum numbers of pre-orders, survey responses that meet thresholds, or positive feedback in focus groups.

For instance, an e-commerce startup might decide that at least 100 pre-orders are required before production begins. Another team might set a target of converting 5% of a waitlist into paying customers. Having these rules in place avoids endless testing and ensures decisions are guided by evidence. The goal is balance. Moving too early risks building on weak demand, while waiting too long can kill momentum. Strong validation criteria help teams strike the right timing.