An overview of making early decisions on experiments

In the realm of online experimentation, particularly within the feature management space, there is a notable tendency for practitioners to draw conclusions prematurely, potentially leading to misleading results. Platforms like Statsig offer advanced tools to enhance testing capabilities and mitigate the risks associated with early decision-making, such as novelty effects and noisy data. Key techniques discussed include power analysis for determining appropriate sample sizes, sequential testing to allow for early decision-making while minimizing false positives, CUPED for reducing variance using pre-experimental data, and multi-armed bandits for optimizing traffic allocation during experiments. While early results can offer valuable insights and expedite iterations, patience and robust methodologies are essential to ensure reliable and actionable outcomes, ultimately aiding informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation.