One of Eric Ries' biggest contributions to startups is the Build-Measure-Learn loop.

Start with what you need to learn. Decide what you need to measure or know. Then build or do what you need to get good-enough information as quickly as possible.

Always choose the option that minimizes the total time through the feedback loop. - Eric Ries

Sometimes, adding in measurement adds a bit of time, but that's a good investment in information. Other time, you're geeking out on "learning gear" which is actually slowing you down. Dashboards, overwrought processes, complex schemes to "validate" - more often than not, they're overcomplications.

Don't let your learning apparatus get in the way of your learning speed - just think about the current learning goal and the fastest way to the information you need.