Idea Validator

Idea Validator - Startup Idea Assessment Framework

Rigorously assess startup ideas BEFORE building using structured validation—saving months of wasted effort on ideas that won't work.

Hexa's Principle: "You want to make something people want. But people don't always know what they want—so you need to understand what they actually need."

When This Activates

• User asks "is this a good idea"
• User says "I want to build X" without validation
• User asks "should I pursue this"
• User mentions a startup idea they're considering
• User wants to know if their idea is worth building

The Framework

Validation = Opportunity Memo Assessment + Perceived Created Value (PCV) Score

Problem Assessment Matrix

Problem Score: 3-4 High = Strong. 1-2 = Weak. 0 = Not a real problem.

PCV Scoring (4 Dimensions)

Rate current solution problems + your improvement:

Scoring: a=0, b=1, c=3 points. Sum all 8 ratings.

Quick Discovery Questions

Problem Space:

1. What specific pain point does your ICP feel? 2. How do they currently solve this? 3. What's wrong with current solutions? 4. How often do they experience this pain? 5. What does this problem cost them?

Timing:

1. Why is NOW the right time? 2. What has changed recently? 3. What barriers existed before that are now gone?

ICP:

1. Company type, size, industry 2. Buyer vs. user role 3. What triggers them to seek a solution?

Integration

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For detailed execution workflow, output templates, and PCV calculations: references/full-guide.md

Idea Validator - Full Guide

Complete guide to validating startup ideas using Hexa's Opportunity Memo framework and PCV methodology.

Step 1: Project Canvas (Executive Summary)

Ask the user:

Describe your idea in one sentence:

>

1. What problem are you solving?

2. Who has this problem?

3. What's your proposed solution?

4. Why you? (Why are you the right person to build this?)

One-Liner Template: "For [target customer] who [pain point], [Product Name] provides [solution] that [key benefit], unlike [alternatives] which [limitation]."

Step 2: Problem Space Deep Dive

Ask the user:

Tell me about the problem:

>

1. What is the specific pain point(s) your ICP feels?

2. How do they currently solve this problem?

3. What's wrong with the current solutions?

4. How often do they experience this pain?

5. What does this problem cost them?

Problem Assessment Matrix:

Problem Score: Count "High" ratings. 3-4 = Strong problem. 1-2 = Weak problem. 0 = Not a real problem.

Step 3: Context & Timing Analysis

Ask the user:

Why is NOW the right time for this solution?

>

1. What has changed recently that makes this possible/necessary?

2. What barriers existed before that are now gone?

3. What trends support this idea?

4. Why hasn't this been solved before?

5. What happens if they DON'T solve this in the next 12 months?

Timing Assessment:

Step 4: ICP Definition

ICP Canvas:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ IDEAL CUSTOMER PROFILE                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Company: [Type, Size, Industry]                 │
│ Buyer: [Title, Role, Decision Authority]        │
│ User: [Title, Daily workflow]                   │
│ Trigger: [What event creates urgency]           │
│ Budget: [Who pays, typical spend range]         │
│ Buying Center: [Who else influences decision]   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Step 5: Solution & Value Proposition

Value Proposition Framework:

Step 6: Competitive Landscape

Competitive Analysis:

Step 7: Perceived Created Value (PCV) Scoring

Phase 1: Interview 20 potential customers

• Ask open-ended questions about their problem
• Understand their current solutions
• Don't pitch your solution—listen

Phase 2: Assess Current Solution

Phase 3: Evaluate Your Solution

Phase 4: Calculate PCV Score

Scoring: a=0 points, b=1 point, c=3 points

Sum all 8 ratings (4 problem + 4 solution):

Step 8: Design Partner Validation

Design Partner Readiness:

Score: 4-5 = Ready to build. 2-3 = Need more validation. 0-1 = Not ready.

Output Template

# Idea Validation Report: [Idea Name]

## Executive Summary

**One-Liner:** [For X who Y, Product provides Z]
**PCV Score:** X/24
**Recommendation:** [Don't pursue / Needs work / Worth pursuing / Green light]
**Confidence Level:** [Low/Medium/High]

## Problem Assessment

### The Problem
[Description]

### Problem Score: X/4

| Dimension | Rating | Evidence |
|-----------|--------|----------|
| Frequency | [High/Med/Low] | [Why] |
| Severity | [High/Med/Low] | [Why] |
| Awareness | [High/Med/Low] | [Why] |
| Budget | [High/Med/Low] | [Why] |

## PCV Score Breakdown

### Current Solution Problems (Customer's Pain)

| Dimension | Rating | Points |
|-----------|--------|--------|
| Price | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| Quality | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| Performance | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| Convenience | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| **Subtotal** | | **X/12** |

### Your Solution Improvement

| Dimension | Rating | Points |
|-----------|--------|--------|
| Price | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| Quality | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| Performance | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| Convenience | [a/b/c] | [0/1/3] |
| **Subtotal** | | **X/12** |

### **Total PCV Score: X/24**

## Validation Next Steps

### If Score < 7
- [ ] Interview 10 more potential customers
- [ ] Identify what you got wrong about the problem
- [ ] Consider pivoting

### If Score 7-12
- [ ] Double down on customer interviews
- [ ] Refine value proposition
- [ ] Find 3 design partners before building

### If Score 13+
- [ ] Lock in 3-5 design partners
- [ ] Use `market-sizer` to size the opportunity
- [ ] Start building within 2 weeks

## Final Recommendation

**Verdict:** [Don't pursue / Pivot / Proceed with caution / Full speed ahead]
**If proceeding, first priority:** [Single most important next action]

The 20-Interview Rule

Before declaring an idea validated:

1. Talk to 20 potential customers (not friends, not family) 2. Ask about their problem (not your solution) 3. Understand how they solve it today 4. Learn what they'd pay for a better solution 5. Get 3-5 to commit as design partners

If you can't find 20 people to interview, the market might not exist.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confirmation bias: Only talking to people who agree with you 2. Solution-first thinking: Falling in love with solution before validating problem 3. Fake validation: Counting "that's cool" as validation (it's not) 4. Too broad ICP: "Everyone" is not a customer segment 5. Skipping competition: Assuming no competition means opportunity 6. Ignoring timing: Good idea at wrong time = failed startup 7. No design partners: Building before anyone commits to use it 8. Vanity validation: Surveys instead of real conversations