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Experiment Design

An experiment design document defines all parameters needed to run a rigorous A/B test or controlled experiment. It ensures the team aligns on what you're testing, how you'll measure success, and how long to run the test before drawing conclusions. Good experiment design prevents common pitfalls: underpowered tests, unclear success criteria, and decisions based on noise rather than signal.

When to Use

• Before launching an A/B test to validate a product change
• When testing a hypothesis that requires quantitative validation
• After solution design to validate assumptions before full rollout
• When stakeholders want data-driven evidence for a decision
• To establish a culture of experimentation and learning

When NOT to Use

• The hypothesis itself is not yet articulated -> use define-hypothesis first; this skill designs the test for a claim you already have
• You are analyzing a completed experiment -> use measure-experiment-results
• You need the event tracking that will measure the experiment -> use measure-instrumentation-spec
• You are gathering opinions rather than running a controlled test -> use measure-survey-analysis

Instructions

When asked to design an experiment, follow these steps:

1. Articulate the Hypothesis

Write a clear, testable hypothesis in the format: "We believe [change] for [users] will [outcome] as measured by [metric]." One hypothesis per experiment - if you're testing multiple things, run multiple experiments.

1. Define the Variants

Describe the control (current experience) and treatment (new experience) in sufficient detail. Include screenshots, mockups, or precise descriptions so anyone can understand what users will see.

1. Choose Primary and Secondary Metrics

Select one primary metric that will determine success or failure. Add 2-3 secondary metrics to understand the broader impact. Include guardrail metrics to catch unintended negative effects.

1. Calculate Sample Size

Determine how many users you need per variant to detect your minimum detectable effect (MDE) with statistical significance. Specify your significance level (typically 0.05) and power (typically 0.80).

1. Estimate Duration

Based on sample size and available traffic, calculate how long the experiment needs to run. Account for weekly patterns - avoid ending mid-week if behavior varies by day.

1. Define Targeting and Allocation

Specify which users are eligible for the experiment and how traffic is split between variants. Document any exclusions (e.g., employees, specific segments).

1. Set Success Criteria

Define upfront what constitutes a win, a loss, or an inconclusive result. This prevents post-hoc rationalization and moving goalposts.

1. Document Risks and Mitigations

Identify what could go wrong and how you'll detect/address it. Include monitoring plans and rollback criteria.

Output Format

Use the template in references/TEMPLATE.md to structure the output. A complete design fills every template section: Overview; Hypothesis; Background; Variants; Metrics; Sample Size & Duration; Audience Targeting; Success Criteria; Risks & Mitigations; Implementation Notes; and References.

Quality Checklist

Before finalizing, verify:

• [ ] Hypothesis is falsifiable and specific
• [ ] Only one primary metric is defined
• [ ] Sample size calculation is documented with assumptions
• [ ] Duration accounts for traffic patterns and statistical requirements
• [ ] Success criteria are defined before the experiment starts
• [ ] Guardrail metrics protect against unintended harm

Examples

See references/EXAMPLE.md for a completed example.