Low Fidelity
Low Fidelity
Low Fidelity
Rival Test
Overview
The Rival Test is a competitor-based validation experiment where we test customer reactions to an existing competitor’s product to uncover unmet needs. At Future Foundry, we use this method when entering crowded markets, competing against incumbents, or refining differentiation strategies. Rather than building something from scratch, we observe how customers engage with competitor offerings, identifying frustrations, missing features, and unexpected behaviour. This allows us to design solutions that solve pain points better than existing alternatives.
The Rival Test is a competitor-based validation experiment where we test customer reactions to an existing competitor’s product to uncover unmet needs. At Future Foundry, we use this method when entering crowded markets, competing against incumbents, or refining differentiation strategies. Rather than building something from scratch, we observe how customers engage with competitor offerings, identifying frustrations, missing features, and unexpected behaviour. This allows us to design solutions that solve pain points better than existing alternatives.
The Rival Test is a competitor-based validation experiment where we test customer reactions to an existing competitor’s product to uncover unmet needs. At Future Foundry, we use this method when entering crowded markets, competing against incumbents, or refining differentiation strategies. Rather than building something from scratch, we observe how customers engage with competitor offerings, identifying frustrations, missing features, and unexpected behaviour. This allows us to design solutions that solve pain points better than existing alternatives.
Process
We start by selecting a competitor product that closely aligns with the concept we want to test. Customers are then invited to use the product in a controlled setting, where we observe their interaction patterns, pain points, and feedback. We track task completion rates, frustration points, and unspoken expectations, comparing them against the competitor’s marketed value proposition. If customers repeatedly highlight unmet needs or feature gaps, it signals an opportunity for innovation. This test provides actionable insights into where competitors are failing, ensuring that our own solution addresses real frustrations rather than assumed ones.
We start by selecting a competitor product that closely aligns with the concept we want to test. Customers are then invited to use the product in a controlled setting, where we observe their interaction patterns, pain points, and feedback. We track task completion rates, frustration points, and unspoken expectations, comparing them against the competitor’s marketed value proposition. If customers repeatedly highlight unmet needs or feature gaps, it signals an opportunity for innovation. This test provides actionable insights into where competitors are failing, ensuring that our own solution addresses real frustrations rather than assumed ones.
We start by selecting a competitor product that closely aligns with the concept we want to test. Customers are then invited to use the product in a controlled setting, where we observe their interaction patterns, pain points, and feedback. We track task completion rates, frustration points, and unspoken expectations, comparing them against the competitor’s marketed value proposition. If customers repeatedly highlight unmet needs or feature gaps, it signals an opportunity for innovation. This test provides actionable insights into where competitors are failing, ensuring that our own solution addresses real frustrations rather than assumed ones.
Requirements
This experiment requires access to competitor products, a structured user testing process, and a method for capturing behavioural insights. The strongest validation signals come from consistent friction points that competitors fail to address.
This experiment requires access to competitor products, a structured user testing process, and a method for capturing behavioural insights. The strongest validation signals come from consistent friction points that competitors fail to address.
This experiment requires access to competitor products, a structured user testing process, and a method for capturing behavioural insights. The strongest validation signals come from consistent friction points that competitors fail to address.
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