9 tips for storytelling experiments
(This is an excerpt from something longer. Find the full version on Medium.)
Want to test something? A story idea? A design?
Here are some tips to consider:
Know what you’re testing
Define some questions you want to answer and actually write them down before you start testing.
Find easy ways to test it
Once you know what you’re testing, cook up some creative ways you’re going to make it happen.
Know how to measure it
Take a look at the questions you’re testing. Then list off ways you can actually measure whether or not it’s working.
Consider using existing data
Before you create something brand new, is there something already out there you can use?
Time-box your experiments
It might be a week. Or two weeks. Or two months. Whatever it is, come up with an end date and stick to it.
Hold retrospectives
At the end of an experiment, get together with your team.
Make some rules
Time-boxes, retrospectives, planning. Essentially, it’s a good idea to addsome structure.
Break some rules
So create structure. Have a roadmap. State objectives. Just be flexible enough to throw some of it out halfway through because you learn something new or your assumptions are proven wrong.
Share what you find
Sharing is part of the experimental process.
-Eric