validating-product-market-fit

Score product-market fit from Phase 1B market analysis; produce PMF score, evidence matrix, and risk register. Run after `researching-market` (Phase 2).

SKILL.md

GitHub

Validating Product-Market Fit (Phase 2)

Target: $ARGUMENTS

Phase 2 of the GTM pipeline. Depends on Phase 1B. Scores PMF across multiple dimensions using evidence from prior phases.

Mode Awareness

Read config/mode.md before starting:

  • concise — Overall PMF score + top 3 evidence points + top 2 risks
  • detailed — Full per-dimension scoring, evidence matrix, risk register with mitigations
  • conservative — Weight negative evidence heavily; set high evidence bar
  • ambitious — Weight leading indicators and analogous market signals; accept proxy evidence

Inputs

  • results/phase-1b/market-analysis.md — Market sizing and buyer personas
  • results/phase-0/capability-profile.md — Technical capabilities
  • results/phase-1a/competitor-map.md — Competitive context
  • config/validation_criteria.md — Phase 2 quality gates
  • config/mode.md — Style and approach settings

PMF Scoring Dimensions

Score each dimension 1-10, then compute weighted average:

Dimension Weight Description
Problem severity 25% How painful is the problem for buyers?
Solution fit 25% How well does the product solve it?
Market timing 20% Is the market ready?
Competitive moat 15% Can differentiation be sustained?
Distribution path 15% Is there a clear route to customers?

Workflow

  1. Read all Phase 0, 1A, 1B outputs
  2. Score each dimension with evidence justification
  3. Compute weighted PMF score (0-10)
  4. Identify PMF risks — What would invalidate each dimension?
  5. Propose mitigations for top risks
  6. Validate against criteria — Check config/validation_criteria.md Phase 2 gates

Output

Write to results/phase-2/:

pmf-assessment.md

# Product-Market Fit Assessment

## PMF Score: [X.X] / 10

## Dimension Scores

| Dimension | Score | Evidence |
|-----------|-------|----------|
| Problem severity | [X]/10 | [evidence] |
| Solution fit | [X]/10 | [evidence] |
| Market timing | [X]/10 | [evidence] |
| Competitive moat | [X]/10 | [evidence] |
| Distribution path | [X]/10 | [evidence] |

## Evidence For PMF
- [evidence point] — Source: [phase output or URL]

## Evidence Against PMF
- [counter-evidence] — Source: [phase output or URL]

## PMF Risk Register

| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|-----------|--------|------------|
| [risk] | H/M/L | H/M/L | [approach] |

## Recommendation
[Proceed to GTM / Iterate on product / Pivot hypothesis]

Rules

  • Both supporting and contradicting evidence are mandatory
  • Score deflation is preferable to inflation — honest assessment protects GTM investment
  • Mitigation suggestions must be actionable, not generic