Choosing one first test

06First Test · overview

What bounded test should we fund first, and how will we decide what comes next?Illustrative contractor case · no figures are given or implied

One eligible request type
One accountable estimating lead
One explicit investment period

Evidence agreed before starting

Linked records
Comparison read
Full cost list
Delivery room

Decision ruleAgreed before starting

Positions · none preselected

ExpandThen trace the next bottleneck
Repair
Stop

No position is preselected. The comparison, the full cost list and the decision rule are agreed in advance, so the evidence cannot be read to fit the hope.

One request type, one owner, one period

Bound the test to one eligible request type with an accountable estimating lead and an explicit investment period. A narrow scope makes records linkable and the comparison readable.

Agree the decision rule in advance

Before starting, agree the comparison, the full cost list and what result would justify expanding, repairing or stopping. Choosing the rule afterward invites reading the evidence to fit the hope.

Expansion follows the next bottleneck

If the test supports expansion, check whether delivery, billing or another territory becomes the next constraint. Repeat the trace there rather than assuming the first result transfers unchanged.

Decision for your leadership teamWhich request type, owner and investment period would we put through a first trace?

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