Proof Sprint 101
A fast, focused way to stop guessing, and start proving, before you build the wrong thing brilliantly.
Most teams build fast. Then backpedal.
Proof Sprint flips that.
It’s a method for thinking clearly before you build, so you don’t waste months solving the wrong thing.
It’s not a process overlay.
It’s not a design sprint.
It’s four interlocking tools that create a continuous clarity loop.
Why we keep solving the wrong problem
Most teams build solutions based on what they think people need. Then wonder why features go unused.
Proof Sprint disrupts this cycle by:
Separating real requirements from assumptions
Revealing how people actually behave (not how they say they behave)
Exploring solution options across multiple dimensions
Creating structured learning that doesn't evaporate
The Four Tools
1. Requirements Compass
Purpose: Sort the signal from the noise.
The Compass helps you categorize inputs into four types:
Real Problems (backed by evidence)
Assumed Solutions (someone’s guess)
Perceived Constraints (limitations we haven’t tested)
Wants and Wishes (nice-to-haves)
It also identifies your North Star: the fundamental problem that makes all others make sense.
2. Behavior Lens
Purpose: Reveal what actually happens, not what should happen.
The Lens maps observed behaviors into four quadrants:
Bottlenecks
Inefficiencies
Workarounds
Misalignments
And prioritizes them by urgency:
Root Causes (center): Fix these and multiple issues improve
Daily Grinds (middle): Regular friction that adds up
Occasional Issues (outer): Infrequent pain points
3. Solution Field Map
Purpose: Compare options before committing to one.
The Map explores solutions across two dimensions:
Solution types: People, Process, and Technology
Ambition levels: Safe Bets, Stretch Goals, and North Stars
It uses color-coding to surface disagreement and make tradeoffs visible.
4. Evidence Box
Purpose: Create structured learning that doesn’t evaporate.
The Box acts as a central hub. It captures:
Problem Evidence (what we know is true)
User Behavior (what people actually do)
Solution Tests (what worked and what didn’t)
How the tools connect
The tools aren’t just a checklist.
They form a clarity loop.
Think of it like this:
You map the chaos → Requirements Compass
You observe real behavior → Behavior Lens
You explore smarter bets → Solution Field Map
You capture what you learned → Evidence Box
Then you loop again; with more clarity each time.
Here’s the flow
The Requirements Compass feeds the Problem Evidence section of the Evidence Box
The Behavior Lens feeds the User Behavior section
Together, they transform a “problem as given” into a validated problem
The Solution Field Map tests ideas based on this validation
Learnings from solution testing feed back into the Evidence Box
That insight fuels the next round of decisions
When to use the Proof Sprint
Proof Sprint typically runs in 1–2 weeks per feature or epic, but it’s flexible:
Use it for 2–3 day deep dives into focused problem areas
Use it across multiple weeks for high-risk or high-visibility projects
You don’t need to use all four tools every time.
Start where it hurts most:
Use the Requirements Compass when you’re drowning in requests but unsure what matters
Use the Behavior Lens when what people say doesn’t match what they do
Use the Solution Field Map when there’s no clear direction
Use the Evidence Box to prevent starting from zero every sprint
Don’t overhaul, just start
You don’t need certification.
You don’t need to revamp your process.
You just need to try it on one real problem.
Here’s how:
Pick a template from the Toolkit section
Schedule 30 minutes with your team
Observe the shift in how your team thinks about what really matters
You don’t need another framework.
You need one that fits the way you actually work.
That’s what I built.
— Pragati
What’s next?
Join Proof Lab. Learn how to stress-test your next story, feature, or roadmap decision.