Decision Record

Would you expand this pilot yet?

Sparse pilot numbers tempt confident labels. This case shows how a plausible interpretation becomes unsupported when no benchmark exists.

ReviewedPublishedRichbay editorial reviewSep 9, 2026challenge-pilot-evidence-boundary-r1-review2

01 · Task

Objective and constraints

Decide whether a small pilot supports expansion while keeping observations separate from inference.

  • Treat the packet’s counts as observations, not a representative sample of all invitees.
  • Do not invent a success benchmark or decision threshold.
  • Recommend a bounded next evidence-gathering step.

02 · Reproduction input

Complete prompt

Evidence packet: A beta has 48 invited users, 18 weekly active users, and seven completed interviews. Five interviewees requested CSV export. The pilot has run for three weeks, so there is no longer-term retention evidence. Recommend whether to expand, pause, or stop the pilot. Separate observations from inference and name the next evidence to collect.

03 · Evaluation scope

Criteria used for this task

Strong answers distinguish observed counts from inference, avoid generalizing five interviews to all users, and recommend a bounded next step with retention and usage evidence.

  1. Separate observations from inference.
  2. Do not treat five interviews as representative of 48 invitees.
  3. Ask for retention and behavior evidence before broad expansion.

04 · Immutable snapshots

Captured outputs and review

Start with the comparison summary. Open a snapshot only when you need the full output, run metadata, and editorial review.

Output 1partially meets

OpenAI

openai/gpt-oss-20b

Strength
Clearly separates observations and inference
Review boundary
Calls activity “modest” without a benchmark
Open snapshot
Output 2partially meets

Qwen

qwen/qwen3-30b-a3b-fp8

Strength
Keeps observations separate
Review boundary
Labels engagement “low” without a target or comparison
Open snapshot
Output 3partially meets

Mistral AI

mistralai/mistral-small-3.1-24b-v2

Strength
Avoids overclaiming
Review boundary
Does not choose expand, pause, or stop as requested
Open snapshot
Output 1Raw captured output · collapsed by defaultOpenAI · openai/gpt-oss-20b

Raw output

Observations

  • 48 users were invited to the beta.
  • 18 users (37.5 %) are active on a weekly basis.
  • 7 users (14.6 %) completed an interview.
  • 5 of those interviewees (71 %) requested a CSV export.
  • The pilot has run for only three weeks; no data exist on retention beyond that period.

Inference

  • The active‑user rate is modest, and the interview‑completion rate is low relative to the invitation pool.
  • The high proportion of interviewees who asked for CSV export suggests that the feature is useful for a subset of engaged users.
  • Without longer‑term retention data, it is unclear whether the pilot is gaining traction or merely attracting a small, highly motivated group.

Recommendation
Pause the pilot for now. Extend the trial to at least 6–8 weeks to capture retention and usage depth, and gather more qualitative feedback from both active and inactive participants.

Next evidence to collect

  1. Retention metrics (e.g., % of users still active after 4, 6, and 8 weeks).
  2. Frequency and depth of feature usage (e.g., number of CSV exports per user, time spent).
  3. Qualitative feedback from users who did not become active or who did not complete interviews.
  4. Conversion data (if applicable) to see whether active users move toward paid plans or higher engagement.

partially meets

Strengths: Clearly separates observations and inference Names retention and inactive-user evidence

Risks: Calls activity “modest” without a benchmark Proposes 6–8 weeks without explaining why that duration fits the retention question; this is a recommendation, not a reported fact

Best use: A research-plan draft after justifying the proposed duration and removing unsupported activity labels.

Output 2Raw captured output · collapsed by defaultQwen · qwen/qwen3-30b-a3b-fp8

Raw output

Observations:

  • 48 users invited
  • 18 weekly active users
  • 7 completed interviews
  • 5 interviewees requested CSV export
  • Pilot has run for 3 weeks
  • No long-term retention evidence

Inference:

  • Engagement appears low (18 out of 48 active weekly)
  • Limited feedback (only 7 interviews)
  • No data on long-term retention

Recommendation: Pause the pilot.

Next evidence to collect: Long-term retention metrics and additional user feedback.

partially meets

Strengths: Keeps observations separate Recommends collecting retention evidence

Risks: Labels engagement “low” without a target or comparison The pause recommendation is under-explained

Best use: A compact draft that needs benchmark discipline.

Output 3Raw captured output · collapsed by defaultMistral AI · mistralai/mistral-small-3.1-24b-v2

Raw output

Observations:

  • 48 invited users
  • 18 weekly active users
  • 7 completed interviews
  • 5 interviewees requested CSV export
  • Pilot run for three weeks

Inference:

  • It is uncertain whether to expand, pause, or stop the pilot. The data is insufficient to make a clear recommendation.

Next evidence to collect:

  • Longer-term retention data
  • User feedback from the remaining invited users
  • Specific reasons for requesting CSV export
  • Any reported issues or bugs from users

partially meets

Strengths: Avoids overclaiming Requests longer-term and broader feedback

Risks: Does not choose expand, pause, or stop as requested Does not explain how evidence changes the next decision

Best use: A cautious evidence checklist, not a complete decision memo.

05 · Claim ledger

Claims, sources, evidence, and boundaries

Claim 1

The packet does not support a broad expansion decision yet.

Source
Published task packet and the three captured outputs
Support
The packet supplies limited interview and activity counts without a benchmark, representative sample, or retention window.
Boundary
The evidence does not show that the pilot failed; it shows that readiness to expand is unresolved.

Claim 2

Labels such as “low” or “good” require a benchmark.

Source
Richbay editorial review criteria
Support
The task provides counts but no target, comparison cohort, or decision rule for those labels.
Boundary
A team may apply a pre-existing benchmark if it is documented and relevant.

06 · Review conclusion

What this evidence supports

Counts are observations; “good,” “low,” and “ready to expand” are inferences that require a benchmark or decision rule.

Known limitations

  • The packet is intentionally sparse and omits domain-specific success criteria.
  • The review does not estimate market demand or future retention.
  • The comparison describes the captured outputs, not each provider’s broader capabilities.

Reusable takeaway

Use an observation-versus-inference ledger before making a scale decision.

Use the supporting method