A client I previously worked with to introduce and embed Lean Startup as their innovation methodology emailed me this morning. She asked:
Can the Lean Startup be used for operational fixes and improvements and what are the limitations of the methodology?
It’s an interesting question, so I’ve shared my response below.
But first, as a quick reminder. Lean Startup is a methodology for innovating in a more entrepreneurial way using hypothesis driven experimentation, iterative product releases, and validated learning. The core of the approach involves releasing rapid prototypes (known as minimum viable products or MVPs) to get real world feedback from customers. Then using these insights to determine whether to: iteratively improve; pivot (course correct by changing fundamental hypothesis); or kill the project.
