Test scope
Onboarding redesign
Activation rate vs. existing flow
- Activation
- 62%+18 pp
- Time to value
- −38%vs. control
- 7-day retention
- +14%vs. control
BuildLess/A practice from GroupLabsPre-build product validation
Before you build, know it works.
We turn an idea into a live test in days, watch real users meet it, and end the week with a clear build-or-kill decision.
Not a prototype. Not a deliverable. A decision, in writing, with the data behind it.
- Sprint length
- 1–2 wks
- Typical price
- $8k–$15k
- Output
- live test +
recommendation - Decision
- build · iterate · kill
When this matters
If you're about to build, pause.
BuildLess is for teams who want real user signal before they commit weeks of engineering. If any of these read as familiar, let's talk.
01
About to build something
You're about to commit weeks of engineering, and you're not sure the idea actually works.
02
Onboarding or activation underperforms
You have hypotheses for why, but no clean way to test which change moves the needle.
03
Multiple ideas, no clear priority
A backlog of bets, no consensus, no signal. You need to know which one to commit to first.
04
You want real user signal
Before you commit engineering time. Behavior data, not opinions in a meeting.
How it works
From idea to decision in days.
We scope your riskiest assumption, build a lightweight test, and track real user behavior to give you a clear answer.
01Step
Define the risk
We start by scoping the riskiest assumption — the thing you can't answer from a doc, a Loom, or another internal debate. That's what we test.
02Step
Build the smallest test
A lightweight version in days, plugged into your product or a standalone flow. Just enough to put the assumption in front of real users.
03Step
Observe real behavior
Events, funnels, session replay so you see exactly where users convert, drop off, or get confused.
04Step
Make the call
Build, iterate, or kill. Every sprint ends with a written recommendation backed by behavior data, not vibes.
What you get
A live test, real data, a clear call.
Not a pitch deck. Not a prototype. A working test in front of real users, with the data to make a decision.
- 01
A live test with real user data
Not a mockup. An actual experience your users used. We build it, ship it, and watch what happens.
- 02
Clear metrics on what worked and what didn't
Conversion, engagement, drop-off points, session replay. The full record of what users did.
- 03
A recommendation, in writing
Build, iterate, or kill — with the reasoning behind it. You walk away with a decision, not a debrief.
Sample sprintone of 47
Why BuildLess
Most teams waste weeks building the wrong version.
We help you find out what actually works before you commit.
01
Days, not months.
Most tests go live within one to two weeks. We scope tightly and ship fast.
02
End to end.
We handle the build, the instrumentation, and the analysis. You focus on the decision.
What makes us different
Built for decisions, not deliverables.
We're not a dev shop. We're a product learning partner that combines speed with structured testing.
01
Faster than building in-house
We scope and ship tests in days, not sprints. Your engineering team stays focused on the roadmap while we run the test.
02
More than just code
We help you decide what to test, how to test it, and what the results actually mean.
03
Every test ends with a clear call
Build, iterate, or kill. You walk away knowing what to do next, not just what we shipped.
Common questions
Things we hear before a sprint.
01Why not just build it ourselves?
You can, but it usually means pulling engineers off the roadmap for weeks, only to find out the idea needs major changes. Most teams test ideas by overbuilding them. We focus on the smallest version that still gives you a clear answer.
02How is this different from prototyping?
Prototypes show how something could work. We go further: we put a working version in front of real users, track their behavior, and give you data to make a decision. It is not a demo. It is a live test.
03What kind of results do we get?
Real user data: conversion rates, engagement patterns, drop-off points, and session recordings. Plus a clear recommendation on whether to build, iterate, or kill the idea.
04How fast is fast?
Most sprints go from kickoff to live test in under two weeks. Some ideas can be in front of users within days. It depends on complexity, but speed is the whole point.
Pricing
Three shapes of engagement.
A single wrong build can cost two to six weeks of engineering time. A validation sprint helps you avoid that.
- One focused test scoped to your riskiest assumption
- We handle the build so you can focus on the decision
- Behavior tracking — events, funnels, session replay
- Results interpretation and a clear recommendation
- Everything in Validation Sprint
- Multiple concurrent tests
- Prioritization support for the highest-risk ideas
- Ongoing learning with regular check-ins
- Dedicated project lead
- Custom scoping and timelines
- Integration with your existing analytics and tooling
- Embedded team support
- Enterprise security and compliance requirements
Plan 01
Validation Sprint
1–2 weeks
Typical: $8k–$15k
Test one high-risk idea and get a clear build-or-kill decision.
Recommended
Plan 02
Experiment Program
Ongoing
Recommended for product teams
For teams running multiple tests across their roadmap.
Plan 03
Custom
Flexible
For larger or specific scopes
For teams with specific constraints or larger-scale needs.
Address
Calgary, AB · Montreal, QC
- Calgary
- +1 (587) 700-9968
- Montreal
- +1 (825) 365-9891
- Hours
- 09:00 – 17:00 · MT