Pragmatism cares about what works in practice. Instead of betting big on untested ideas, it nudges us to run small experiments, gather evidence, and adapt. Here’s a lightweight framework to move from debate to data.
The 7 Steps
- Define the job-to-be-done. What outcome are you hiring this decision to achieve?
- State a falsifiable hypothesis. “If we do X, Y will increase by Z% in 30 days.”
- Design the smallest viable test. Can you trial this with 10% of users or a single team?
- Pre-commit to metrics and a kill switch. Decide the threshold that ends the test.
- Run the test. Timebox, observe, don’t tinker mid-stream.
- Debrief with blameless notes. What did the world tell you?
- Scale, shelve, or pivot. Act on evidence, not ego.
Your One-Page Template
Outcome sought:
Hypothesis:
Test design:
Start/End dates:
Primary metric:
Guardrail metric:
Kill switch:
Next action:
Common Pitfalls (and Pragmatic Fixes)
- Metric soup: Pick one primary metric, one guardrail.
- Endless pilots: Set a hard decision date before the test begins.
- Executive gravity: Invite dissent; ask, “What evidence would change your mind?”