Product discovery & research · Core
Signal
Also called: early signal
ELI5
A clue that something may be happening.
Used in conversation
“Three cancellations are a signal, not a trend.”
Definition
An observation that may indicate a pattern or change but is not yet conclusive evidence.
Here “Signal” means: An observation that may indicate a pattern or change but is not yet conclusive evidence.
Pitch context
You will see “Signal” in product strategy decks, roadmaps, experiments and architecture reviews when the discussion reaches product discovery & research.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret product discovery & research without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Sources & evidence · 2
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- Scrum Guides — The Scrum Guide — official current versionSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16