The steps of the scientific method can be summarized like this, Observation, Explanation and Testing. This method is the basis for just about every problem-solving method. We might call it the Granddaddy of research experimentation. I think it is worth a review more often than we actually do. The basic logic behind the method, I believe will help you create better experiments, even for the sales and marketing folks.
Attached is a PDF that is a simplification of it but I think serves as a handy guideline for us to review as we create our own experiments, The outline was adapted from the book, A Beginner’s Guide to Scientific Method by Stephen S. Carey