pol-probe-advisor

SKILL.md

Match the cheapest prototype to your hypothesis, not your tooling comfort.

Guides you through five Proof of Life probe types (Feasibility Check, Task-Focused Test, Narrative Prototype, Synthetic Data Simulation, Vibe-Coded PoL) based on your specific risk and learning goal

Uses adaptive questioning to identify your core validation question, then recommends the method that eliminates risk fastest without overbuilding

Includes success criteria templates, timeline estimates, and disposal plans for each probe type to prevent prototype theater and scope creep

Warns against common pitfalls: choosing methods based on tooling comfort, defaulting to code, testing multiple hypotheses at once, and skipping measurable success criteria

Purpose

Guide product managers through selecting the right Proof of Life (PoL) probe type (of 5 flavors) based on their hypothesis, risk, and available resources. Use this when you need to eliminate a specific risk or test a narrow hypothesis, but aren't sure which validation method to use. This interactive skill ensures you match the cheapest prototype to the harshest truth—not the prototype you're most comfortable building.

This is not a tool for deciding if you should validate (you should). It's a decision framework for choosing how to validate most effectively.

Key Concepts

The Core Problem: Method-Hypothesis Mismatch

Common failure mode: PMs choose validation methods based on tooling comfort ("I know Figma, so I'll design a prototype") rather than learning goal. Result: validate the wrong thing, miss the actual risk.

Solution: Work backwards from the hypothesis. Ask: "What specific risk am I eliminating? What's the cheapest path to harsh truth?"

The 5 PoL Probe Flavors (Quick Reference)