Research & Experiment Charter
Plan a hypothesis-driven study the rigorous way. This charter captures the research question, the hypothesis, the independent and dependent variables, the sample and methodology, and the measurable success criteria that will decide the result.
Create Research Charter →What is a Research & Experiment Charter?
A research and experiment charter is a planning document for hypothesis-driven studies. Where the other charter types frame improvement or design work, this one frames a controlled investigation: it states a research question, a testable hypothesis, the variables, the sample, the methodology and the criteria that will determine success.
The heart of the charter is the hypothesis, expressed in an if-then-because form that ties an intervention to an expected, measurable outcome and a reason. This is paired with clearly defined variables, an independent variable that is manipulated and a dependent variable that is measured, each with its measurement method specified.
The charter also fixes the sample size and selection and exclusion criteria, the methodology (for example a controlled experiment), and the success criteria: for each metric, the null-hypothesis value, the target value and the significance threshold. Defining these before data collection is what makes the study rigorous rather than a fishing expedition.
In plain terms: This charter is for running a proper experiment. You write the question, a testable hypothesis (if we do X, then Y will change by this much, because...), what you'll manipulate and measure, how many subjects and which ones, and the exact bar for success, including the significance threshold, all decided before you collect a single data point.
Core Sections
Question & Hypothesis
A clear research question and a testable if-then-because hypothesis tying an intervention to a measurable, quantified outcome.
Variables & Sample
Independent and dependent variables with measurement methods, plus target sample size and selection and exclusion criteria.
Methodology & Success Criteria
The study design (for example a controlled experiment) and, per metric, the null value, target value and significance threshold.
Key Formulas
What Makes the Charter Rigorous
Pre-specifying the success criteria, including the significance threshold, before collecting data is the charter's most important discipline. It prevents the outcome from being reinterpreted after the fact and guards against selectively reporting whatever result happens to look good.
Well-defined variables and measurement methods make the study reproducible. Stating exactly how the independent variable is assigned and how the dependent variable is measured removes ambiguity, so the experiment measures what it claims to and others could repeat it.
Assumptions & Validation
Testable Hypothesis
The hypothesis is specific, testable and quantified.
If violated: Rewrite vague hypotheses into an if-then-because form with a target magnitude.
Defined Variables
Independent and dependent variables and their measurement methods are specified.
If violated: Add measurement methods so variables are unambiguous.
Pre-Set Success Criteria
Null value, target and significance threshold are fixed before data collection.
If violated: Define these up front to avoid post-hoc reinterpretation.
Adequate Sample
The sample size is planned for the effect and significance sought.
If violated: Justify the sample size against the target effect.
⚠️ Check assumptions first
The point of a research charter is to commit to the rules of the study before seeing the data. Deciding the success criteria, especially the significance threshold, only after results are in opens the door to reinterpreting outcomes and reporting whatever looks favorable. Fix the hypothesis, variables, sample and success criteria in advance, and note the limitations and confounders that could threaten the study's validity.
When NOT to Use Research & Experiment Charter
Improving a Process
To improve an existing process rather than test a hypothesis, use a DMAIC charter.
Designing a Product
To design a new process or product, use a DMADV charter.
Quick Root-Cause Work
For a fast one-page operational fix, a Lean A3 charter is more appropriate.
Industry Applications
Controlled Experiments
Plan an A/B or squad-level experiment testing whether an intervention changes a measured outcome.
Product & Growth Studies
Frame a hypothesis-driven test of a feature or prompt against a success metric.
Operational Trials
Design a trial of a process change with clear variables and success thresholds.
Research Planning
Structure any study needing a hypothesis, variables, sample and pre-set criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a research and experiment charter for?
It is a planning document for hypothesis-driven studies, capturing the research question, a testable hypothesis, the variables, the sample, the methodology and measurable success criteria. Unlike the improvement-focused DMAIC or design-focused DMADV charters, it frames a controlled investigation. Defining all these elements before data collection is what makes a study rigorous rather than an exploratory fishing expedition.
How should a hypothesis be written in the charter?
A strong hypothesis uses an if-then-because structure that links an intervention to an expected, measurable outcome and a reason. For example, if support managers receive a real-time prompt, then the same-day intervention rate will increase by at least 15 percentage points, because the prompt reduces manual queue scanning. This form makes the hypothesis specific, testable and quantified, with a clear rationale.
What are independent and dependent variables?
The independent variable is the one the experiment manipulates or assigns, such as whether a group receives a new prompt. The dependent variable is the outcome that is measured to see whether it responds, such as the same-day intervention rate. The charter should specify each variable's measurement method so there is no ambiguity about how the intervention is applied and how the result is captured.
Why fix success criteria before collecting data?
Pre-specifying the success criteria, including the target value and the significance threshold, prevents the results from being reinterpreted after the fact to fit whatever the data shows. Deciding these rules in advance is a cornerstone of rigorous research, because it guards against selectively reporting favorable outcomes and ensures the study answers the question it set out to answer.
What is the significance threshold in the charter?
The significance threshold, commonly 0.05, is the pre-set level at which a result is judged statistically significant, meaning unlikely to have arisen by chance under the null hypothesis. Recording it in the charter for each success metric, alongside the null value and target value, fixes the standard of evidence before the study runs, so the conclusion is not adjusted to the data after the fact.
How does this charter differ from a DMAIC charter?
A DMAIC charter frames the improvement of an existing process, with a problem statement, goal and metrics. A research charter frames a controlled study to test a hypothesis, with variables, a sample plan and pre-set success criteria including a significance threshold. The DMAIC charter aims to fix and sustain, while the research charter aims to learn whether a specific intervention produces a measurable effect.
Plan a Rigorous Hypothesis-Driven Study
Charter the question, hypothesis, variables, sample and success criteria. Free during Beta.
Create Research Charter →