Learning experience
A mindset where outcomes (including failures or execution issues) are treated as learning that improves future decisions and process quality.
Definition
A mindset where outcomes (including failures or execution issues) are treated as learning that improves future decisions and process quality.
More context
A learning experience is the output of a test: what you now know that you didn’t know before. It includes results, execution constraints, and organizational bottlenecks—not just wins.
Why it matters
Learning compounds. Treating failures as learning increases the rate of iteration and reduces fear-driven stagnation.
How to use it
Document learnings every cycle, explicitly state what you’ll do next (iterate/scale/stop), and update ICP/definitions when relevant.
Common pitfalls
Not writing learnings down, or rewriting history to avoid “failed” experiments.
Related terms
- Experiment — A test designed to create learning and move a KPI. An “optimal experiment” is tied to OKRs, measurable, learning-focused, and executable within a short cycle (e.g. a week).
- Testing cycle — A recurring cadence (often weekly or biweekly) where you run the four-phase process end-to-end and document learnings.
- Analysis — The first phase of the four-phase process: analyze the current situation and/or learnings from the previous cycle before forming hypotheses.
- Hypothesis — A specific, testable statement about what change could improve a KPI. In the process, you typically form 1–3 hypotheses per cycle.