Learn from Customer Insights with the Innovation Learning Card

This template is your perfect tool to collect user insights from your experiments in a structured way in order to learn from them.

What is an Innovation Learning Card?

The innovation learning card, also known as experiment card or assumption learning card is a simple and free tool that can best be used together with the test card (idea validation template). There is no point in putting resources into experiment and customer research if you don't have a structured way to learn from them.

‍The learning card , which you can download for free at the bottom of the page, is a great tool for exactly that. It helps you to structure the learnings from all your experiments and take action accordingly. It could for example be used to improve your value proposition of individual products and services or even your whole business model.

An innovation learning card is a simple tool to learn from your experiments in a structured way in order to act on them

How to learn from your experiments‍

1. Restate your hypothesis

First go back to your idea validation card and copy the hypothesis that you had before you began with your experiment. This is an important step as you should make sure that you are clear on what exactly you wanted to find out. You can also copy more things from the idea validation test card, like the criteria and the metrics that you had set for your experiment. An easy way could also be to glue / tape the learning card to the back of the idea validation card! This will ensure that you don't lose track of what you were actually testing.

Really Good Pro Tip: Glue or tape the innovation learning card to the back of your test card / idea validation card

2. Write down your observation

Attention: This is not about interpretation yet! Simply write down what you observed (what did you hear & what did you see). Do this in as much detail as possible. If other people read this, the data should be very clear for them.

3. Write down your learnings

Now comes the tricky part. What did you learn from these observations. One good way to ensure that your learnings are valid, is to actually go back to the test card and evaluate your learnings based on the criteria that you had set. In this way you can ensure that your learnings are not just your own subjective opinion. Include therefore all the evidence that you base your learnings on.

Really Good Pro Tip: Make sure that your learnings are not just based on gut feeling but on data.

4. Define actions and next steps

This step is key! Make sure that this innovation learning card doesn't just end up in some drawer or bin. Talk to your team about possible actions and assign the necessary next steps to specific people. Also, set deadlines for the implementation and give them the learning card as a reminder. Set clear metrics of the success for each next step.