Idea Validator
Output Format
IDEA VALIDATION REPORT
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Idea: [one-line description]
Target customer: [ICP]
Problem statement: [pain in one sentence]
SIX-DIMENSION SCORE
Problem Clarity: [1-5]
Market Size: [1-5]
Willingness to Pay: [1-5]
Competition Density: [1-5]
Founder-Market Fit: [1-5]
Distribution Path: [1-5]
Total: [0-30]
Score band: [KILL / ITERATE / BUILD / MOVE FAST]
SCORE READ
Strongest dimension: [dimension]
Weakest dimension: [dimension]
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE
1. [hard argument against the idea]
2. [hard argument against the idea]
3. [hard argument against the idea]
RISKIEST ASSUMPTION
Assumption: [single make-or-break belief]
Test under 2 weeks: [specific action]
Budget cap: [$0-$100]
Pass signal: [numeric threshold]
Fail signal: [numeric threshold]
VERDICT
[KILL / PIVOT / VALIDATE FIRST / BUILD]
Rationale: [direct explanation]
Scoring Rubric
SCORING SCALE
1 = weak / unclear / unattractive
3 = workable but unproven
5 = strong and clearly evidenced
DIMENSIONS
Problem Clarity 1 vague or nice-to-have
3 recurring pain with partial urgency
5 sharp, frequent, expensive pain
Market Size 1 tiny or shrinking niche
3 viable niche with room for a small business
5 large or expanding market with many reachable buyers
Willingness to Pay 1 users expect free
3 some segment will pay if ROI is clear
5 clear budget owner and painful status quo
Competition Density 1 crowded with entrenched winners
3 mixed market, some whitespace
5 fragmented or underserved market
Founder-Market Fit 1 no insight, access, or credibility
3 some relevant exposure
5 deep lived pain, network, or proven edge
Distribution Path 1 no credible go-to-market path
3 one plausible but unproven channel
5 repeatable low-cost path to customers
Thresholds
THRESHOLDS
< 15 = KILL
15 - 22 = ITERATE
23 - 28 = BUILD
29 - 30 = MOVE FAST
VERDICT MAPPING
KILL -> verdict usually KILL
ITERATE -> verdict usually PIVOT or VALIDATE FIRST
BUILD -> verdict usually BUILD
MOVE FAST -> verdict BUILD with urgency
RULES
- Score each dimension from 1 to 5 with real justification, not optimism.
- Treat
Competition Densityas favorable only when the market is fragmented or underserved; crowded red oceans score low. - Always give the three strongest arguments against the idea with no softening.
- Name exactly one riskiest assumption, not a list.
- The test plan must be executable in under 2 weeks for under $100.
- Use numeric pass and fail signals whenever possible.
- If the idea is missing an ICP or business model, infer cautiously and say the inference explicitly.
- Do not recommend building when
Willingness to PayorDistribution Pathscores 1 unless the user is intentionally building a hobby project. VALIDATE FIRSTis the default verdict when the score lands inITERATEand the core assumption can be tested cheaply.
EXAMPLE TRIGGER PHRASES
- "validate my idea: AI scheduling for plumbers"
- "is this a good startup idea?"
- "stress test this marketplace concept"
- "should I build this SaaS for agencies?"
- "critique my idea with no sugarcoating"
- "tear apart this app concept"
- "is there a real business here or not?"
Analysis Sequence
1. State the idea, ICP, and pain in one line each.
2. Score all six dimensions.
3. Sum the score and label the score band.
4. Write the 3 strongest arguments against the idea.
5. Identify the single riskiest assumption.
6. Design the cheapest credible test under 2 weeks / under $100.
7. Output the verdict: KILL, PIVOT, VALIDATE FIRST, or BUILD.
This skill is part of the NOUMENON Indie Founder Pack — gumroad.com/noumenon-ai