PMF as a Gradient, Not a Vibe

Treating product‑market fit like a light switch leads to two failures: forcing growth into a hollow core or missing the window to scale. I break PMF into three questions:

1) Can we repeatedly reach the right users?

2) Do they convert for the reason we think?

3) Does value compound enough to keep them?

Evidence is a pairing: event scaffolding for what happened, user narratives for why it happened and whether it keeps happening. That combo makes the next choice—deepen the seam or switch targets—mechanical instead of theatrical.

Rule of thumb: reversible bets first, consistent definitions, and be willing to walk away when the data says “almost.”