How do you handle uncertainty in customer discovery?

1 Adopt a learning mindset

One of the best ways to handle uncertainty in customer discovery is to adopt a learning mindset, which means being curious, open-minded, and willing to experiment. A learning mindset helps you avoid confirmation bias, embrace failure, and pivot when needed. Instead of focusing on proving your ideas right, you should focus on finding out what your customers really want and need, and how your product can solve their problems or fulfill their desires. To adopt a learning mindset, you should ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and seek feedback from diverse sources.

2 Use lean methods

Another way to handle uncertainty in customer discovery is to use lean methods, which are based on the principles of building, measuring, and learning. Lean methods help you reduce waste, save time, and iterate quickly. Instead of spending months on building a perfect product, you should build a minimum viable product (MVP) that has the core features and benefits that your customers value. Then, you should measure how your customers use and respond to your MVP, using quantitative and qualitative data. Finally, you should learn from your data and feedback, and make changes to your product or strategy accordingly.

3 Validate your assumptions

A third way to handle uncertainty in customer discovery is to validate your assumptions, which are the hypotheses or beliefs that you have about your customers, your product, and your market. Validating your assumptions helps you avoid costly mistakes, test your riskiest assumptions first, and discover new opportunities. To validate your assumptions, you should use various methods, such as interviews, surveys, experiments, or prototypes. You should also prioritize your assumptions based on their impact and uncertainty, and use a validation board or canvas to track your progress and results.

4 Embrace uncertainty

A fourth way to handle uncertainty in customer discovery is to embrace uncertainty, which means accepting that you cannot know everything in advance, and that you may have to change your plans along the way. Embracing uncertainty helps you be flexible, adaptable, and resilient. Instead of fearing uncertainty, you should see it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and innovate. To embrace uncertainty, you should acknowledge your emotions, challenge your negative thoughts, and celebrate your achievements.

5 Seek support

A fifth way to handle uncertainty in customer discovery is to seek support, which means reaching out to other people who can help you with your customer discovery process, such as mentors, peers, experts, or partners. Seeking support helps you gain new perspectives, insights, and resources. It also helps you cope with stress, frustration, and doubt. To seek support, you should network with other product innovators, join communities or groups, ask for advice or feedback, and collaborate with others who share your vision or goals.

6 Keep learning

A sixth way to handle uncertainty in customer discovery is to keep learning, which means continuously updating your knowledge and skills, and staying on top of the latest trends and best practices in your industry and domain. Keeping learning helps you improve your customer discovery process, discover new opportunities, and anticipate future needs. To keep learning, you should read books, blogs, or articles, watch videos or podcasts, attend webinars or workshops, or enroll in courses or programs related to product innovation and customer discovery.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?