Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works (Lean Series)

Top positive review

Realistic, practical, focused

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2012

I have read my fair share of books on starting a business. As an engineer, the "building the product" part is the easy part. What has always challenged me is the entire process. Eric Ries was correct in saying that many books and magazine articles paint a wonderful picture of overnight success. And in my own business challenges, I wonder why I am not having this overnight success that I read about all of the time.

Finally I have the answer. The overnight success is a myth. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries changes the perceived paradigm of business. 9 out of 10 startups fail. I personally have been in startups that failed and put it down to a learning experience but still could not pin point exactly what was the cause of the failure. Why didn't people purchase the products/services that I was creating.

Am also a fan of Seth Godin and he professes that we build the Wow! into the product as a strategy.

But Ash Muraya gets real and for the first time I truly understand why I have failed in the past with the startups that I had been involved in. It was the process. We never got out of the building. We always built software in a vaccuum smugly thinking it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have used the latter strategy and I can say from sheer experience it does not work.

It all makes sense now. Seems a little obvious now.

This book in itself is lean. It does NOT make the same point over and over again using example after example. Every part of the book is useful. In fact it may be more of a user manual on business than a book. It shows you realistic step by step methods of reducing the time that could be potentially wasted in turning an idea into a product/service. I have already started to use the strategies and it is making a huge difference in my work.

I have been through a process of creating an MVP and testing it. The process has already saved me tons of time and to be honest, much heartache.

Every time I think of a new product or service I always go back to Running Lean to ensure that I do not repeat past mistakes and to use it's methods once again.

Thank you Ash Muraya. It's one of the best books in this genre I have ever read.

5 people found this helpful

Top critical review

Critical reviews›

Abi Noda

Less practical than Nail it Then Scale It, but a worthwhile complement

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2014

I'll begin my summary by quoting the author's promise: "Running Lean is a repeatable, actionable process for building products, one that raises your odds for success by helping your identify your success metrics and measure progress against those metrics."

At a high-level, the Running Lean framework is fairly straightforward: validate the problem. Define a solution. Validate the solution. Then develop your solution iteratively while continuing to test and validate along the way. Running Lean offers concrete, actionable instructions and templates for each step of this process.

However, the greatest flaw in this book is hinted in the language of the author's promise. Running Lean is designed more like an algorithm -- painfully detailed, comprehensive, and unemotional -- than a practical field guide for the real world. The book delves into everything from landing page design to kanban boards. In other words, in its attempt at engineering a comprehensive framework for business creation, Running Lean fails to deliver a strong set of core principles (I will revisit this later in my summary).

Another problem I have with the author's promise is that the word "metrics" is mentioned twice, when in actuality Running Lean incorporates very few metrics. In fact, it's not until the very last stage of that actual numbers are even mentioned (eg. Sean Ellis test, 40% customer retention). I found incongruence in the fact that Running Lean was characterized as algorithmic, but was largely based on qualitative experiments without discussion of potential quantitative benchmarks or test methodologies.

Since *Running Lean* is considered the de-facto field manual for Lean Startup methodology, I was eager to read it and compare it to Nail It then Scale It: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating and Managing Breakthrough Innovation, which I had read previously.

At a high level, NISI and Running Lean prescribe very similar methodologies. However, where Running Lean stumbles, NISI's shines. NISI's focus on simplicity makes it far more powerful and practical. For example, as a first step, NISI focuses _only_ on pain whereas Running Lean starts off with a lean canvas, which forces you to simultaneously consider other parts of the business model. NISI's "less is more" approach proves more effective, because as formulaic and well-engineered as Running Lean tries to be, the reality is that starting a company is stressful and unpredictable.

Another example of unnecessary complexity is useless jargon like "iteration meta-pattern" and "build-measure-learn loop", as well as tangential topics like usability testing, Kanban boards or an annoyingly complex definition of risk: "the way you quantify risk in your business model is by quantifying the probabilities of a specific outcome along with quantifying the associated loss if you're wrong." As a result of its complexity, the milestones in Running Lean are less concrete and powerful than NISI. NISI does a better job painting a holistic picture of common entrepreneurial fallacies, and how to breakthrough them by focusing on the most important goal -- acquiring payed customers.

I also want to highlight two methodological differences between NISI and Running Lean:

1) NISI gets you in front of customers faster. The Lean Canvas is simple, but it seems like the entire exercise should hinge on the customer pain being validated first. That gets entrepreneurs in front of customers faster, which in turn helps save time and wasted energy on the subsequent steps.

2) NISI recommends an objective, quantitative testing method for initially validating the customer pain, whereas Running Lean uses customer interviews. I would argue that as a whole, NISI approaches the startup process more objectively while Running Lean bases it on customer interviews.

Overall, I believe Running Lean is a worthwhile complement to NISI in bits and pieces. Specifically, I found its structured customer interview templates, advice on establishing pricing, and mention of the "Sean Ellis Test" to be valuable and actionable.

96 people found this helpful

1,452 total ratings, 793 with reviews

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From the United States

eackbarali

Realistic, practical, focused

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2012

Verified Purchase

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

seattlelite

A Handbook on How to Increase Your Chances of Success with a Business Idea While Eliminating Waste

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

I really liked this book. There's not a lot of fluff (which makes sense since it's a book on being lean), and it gives good examples and steps to help you apply the teachings. What it reminds me of is the Agile methodology because the main concept was about moving in smaller iterations, getting quicker feedback, and adjusting accordingly.

In terms of business and start-ups, the underlying theme to me was that you should try not to assume that you're correct - instead create small tests where you roll out an idea in small increments and test them before advancing. In some respect, it sounds like so much common sense, but how often do we fail to do this.

Old school business involves creating grandiose business plans that are complete and researched/analyzed using a ton of time. However, encapsulated within that is a lot of assumptions. How do you know such and such will happen? How do you know that customer feedback won't take you in a completely different direction? How can you possibly plan for that alternate direction if you haven't received enough feedback yet?

It's difficult predict what people will value, and how much they will value it until they actually have to pay for it (or at least use it). So how do you get to the point where you know exactly how much a customer will value your product/service with the least amount of waste? Are you being flexible enough to allow a 180 degree turn if you find that the customer will value something else than you originally planned for (and that you have the expertise to do)?

One important point Maurya makes early on is that money is not the only form of waste. Just as important are things like your time and energy. Why spend time and energy on things that won't add value?

The book gives you steps on how to incrementally roll out your idea and constantly test it as you go, down to the level of who you should be getting feedback from, how much time to spend interviewing them, and what questions to ask them.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Abi Noda

Less practical than Nail it Then Scale It, but a worthwhile complement

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2014

Verified Purchase

I'll begin my summary by quoting the author's promise: "Running Lean is a repeatable, actionable process for building products, one that raises your odds for success by helping your identify your success metrics and measure progress against those metrics."

At a high-level, the Running Lean framework is fairly straightforward: validate the problem. Define a solution. Validate the solution. Then develop your solution iteratively while continuing to test and validate along the way. Running Lean offers concrete, actionable instructions and templates for each step of this process.

However, the greatest flaw in this book is hinted in the language of the author's promise. Running Lean is designed more like an algorithm -- painfully detailed, comprehensive, and unemotional -- than a practical field guide for the real world. The book delves into everything from landing page design to kanban boards. In other words, in its attempt at engineering a comprehensive framework for business creation, Running Lean fails to deliver a strong set of core principles (I will revisit this later in my summary).

Another problem I have with the author's promise is that the word "metrics" is mentioned twice, when in actuality Running Lean incorporates very few metrics. In fact, it's not until the very last stage of that actual numbers are even mentioned (eg. Sean Ellis test, 40% customer retention). I found incongruence in the fact that Running Lean was characterized as algorithmic, but was largely based on qualitative experiments without discussion of potential quantitative benchmarks or test methodologies.

Since *Running Lean* is considered the de-facto field manual for Lean Startup methodology, I was eager to read it and compare it to Nail It then Scale It: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating and Managing Breakthrough Innovation , which I had read previously.

At a high level, NISI and Running Lean prescribe very similar methodologies. However, where Running Lean stumbles, NISI's shines. NISI's focus on simplicity makes it far more powerful and practical. For example, as a first step, NISI focuses _only_ on pain whereas Running Lean starts off with a lean canvas, which forces you to simultaneously consider other parts of the business model. NISI's "less is more" approach proves more effective, because as formulaic and well-engineered as Running Lean tries to be, the reality is that starting a company is stressful and unpredictable.

Another example of unnecessary complexity is useless jargon like "iteration meta-pattern" and "build-measure-learn loop", as well as tangential topics like usability testing, Kanban boards or an annoyingly complex definition of risk: "the way you quantify risk in your business model is by quantifying the probabilities of a specific outcome along with quantifying the associated loss if you're wrong." As a result of its complexity, the milestones in Running Lean are less concrete and powerful than NISI. NISI does a better job painting a holistic picture of common entrepreneurial fallacies, and how to breakthrough them by focusing on the most important goal -- acquiring payed customers.

I also want to highlight two methodological differences between NISI and Running Lean:

1) NISI gets you in front of customers faster. The Lean Canvas is simple, but it seems like the entire exercise should hinge on the customer pain being validated first. That gets entrepreneurs in front of customers faster, which in turn helps save time and wasted energy on the subsequent steps.

2) NISI recommends an objective, quantitative testing method for initially validating the customer pain, whereas Running Lean uses customer interviews. I would argue that as a whole, NISI approaches the startup process more objectively while Running Lean bases it on customer interviews.

Overall, I believe Running Lean is a worthwhile complement to NISI in bits and pieces. Specifically, I found its structured customer interview templates, advice on establishing pricing, and mention of the "Sean Ellis Test" to be valuable and actionable.

96 people found this helpful

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Amarynn

Finding early traction is counter-intuitive

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

Having an ambitious dream is great... but then where do you start? What do you focus on? Who do you listen do?

I have a big dream. One of those things that you think, "I have to accomplish this before I die, no matter what it takes." And I've been putting in all my free time to try to make it happen. I knew I would need to work my way there and iterate, and to get feedback as I went. But even though I was trying to learn on the way, I just wasn't learning the right things. I'd get feedback that conflicted, and it felt like I was always being pulled in 20 different directions. I was stuck in a cycle of continuously trying to make everyone happy.

I love this book because it gave me permission to ignore people. To stop trying to make everyone happy, and to figure out how to make the -right- people happy. Ash's advice: "Don't lower friction, raise it." It's counter intuitive, yet it's the wisdom that has made all the difference for me, and now I'm watching everything change.

I started to work closely with just a handful of the right people. I'm focusing on their success and ignoring everyone else. Then others started to notice, and wonder what was different. And now day by day I get requests from other people, interested in what I'm doing. It's starting to sell itself. And I couldn't be more excited. Its the beginning of seeing my dream come to life.

I'm so thankful for the practical wisdom in this book. It gave me the structure I needed to find that early traction - even with a bold and ambitious dream. To any reader out there who has a vision, Ash's book is a roadmap to help you make that vision a reality.

Thank you, Ash, you're awesome!!!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Yuriy Bilodray

This book is not about how to become a wine connoisseur, but how to make wine

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

I am giving this book 5 stars because the author believes deeply in what he is depicting, meticulously goes into the details outlining goals and actions clearly. It seems that not many books of this genre have such a strong practical focus.

That's a good point that anecdotes come even before the data (the "Do more faster" by Brad Feld and David Cohen). But all know that often books about startups and for startups bear solely inspirational role, impart a new collective wisdom (of course, also required).

This one is another kind, aimed at giving a process of departing from zero, then bootstrapping, and guiding through to the point/quality when you already exist and in a strong position to grow further efficiently, with concrete tools, techniques, and options.

The author compiled the famous "Lean Startup" method by Eric Ries into an easily consumable form allowing skimming, combined it with an altered not less famous "Business Model Generation"'s canvas tactics, mixing in all well known things in an organic way.

At that, this is not just a book [product]. It is an already big and growing infrastructure, - workshops, community [meaning, service] created following the approach. It is a case study in itself, an opportunity to learn for the readers, and for the author.

In the book I found places where I went in cycles and some parts of the concepts seemed to me not fitting seamlessly. People from industries other than S/W may experience difficulties deciding whether the approach is suitable for their case. The same about complex S/W products. However, after having read one would agree this all makes sense to a significant extent, being a fresh POW.

And the last note: it's wise not to do a mistake of following the recipes to the letter, - a process combined with curiosity, individual spirit and variety is what gives a matchless taste to what we produce. Times change, world change and approaches do (by us).

Helpful

S. Tzanev

Fastest way to start doing Lean

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

Ash Maurya is a driving force in the Lean Startup movement. I'm using his Lean Canvas extensively and I follow closely his fantastic blog posts.
Unlike the other big names in the field, like Steve Blank, Eric Ries, and Alexander Osterwalder, Ash Maurya's focus is on the practical (how-to) application of the Lean Startup concepts.
The Four Steps to the Epiphany, The Lean Startup, and Business Model Generation are fantastic must-read books, but if you want a great tutorial on how to start applying the Lean Startup principles in practice, Running Lean is the book you need. It can even be very easily your introduction to the Lean Startup if you don't have time or knack for getting deeper into the theory.
The best Lean Startup book for practitioners.
I also recommend following Ash Maurya's fantastic blog posts as, among other things, they provide updates to some of the practices described in Running Lean. Remember that the this is an evolving framework, and Ash Maurya does a great job sharing (through his blog posts) all the latest learning he acquires from real-world projects.
And if you are looking for progress/success metrics that match the Lean framework, I'd highly recommend reading "Lean Analytics" by Alistair Croll and Benjamin Yoskovitz.
"Running Lean" and "Lean Analytics" are the two books that every product manager and every startup founder need to master the practice of Lean Startup.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

This LEAN series is a good way to start on changing how to manage companies who are innovators.

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2012

Verified Purchase

Part of the LEAN series which started with The Lean Start-up. This is the workbook for the The Lean Start-up and more. Lean development rose out of the AGILE camp and remains a major POV for the technology development sector. My interest comes from experience with companies that start into AGILE but, fail to implement it in their management structure/style. This LEAN series is a good way to start on changing how to manage companies who are innovators. A very few folks are writing about adopting AGILE techniques in sales and marketing , but it will come. A few key bullets for me from this very clear and well written book.

Build only the Minimum Value Product - always testing customer response.
Look for Minimum Marketing Features (what customers value - and you would write up)
Use Kanban charts ( from The Toyota Way ) to organize and constrain workflow
Done = validated with learning from customers
Measure product marketing fit all the time.

On Freemium (he is not a fan) :

Delays learning about what price buyers will pay
Low or no conversion - give away too much
Lengthens validation cycle
Shift focus to wrong metric - signups vs retention
Low signal to noise ration - what is important feedback
Free users are not free - account for free users as a marketing expense

Mailchimp started with a paid version and after much time backed into a free one. Users should easily outgrow a free plan. This is LinkedIn's issue. IMHO. Buy this book and The Lean Startup. Thanks O'Reilly

2 people found this helpful

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TC3

INVEST your precious time and resources, DON'T SPEND them!

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2015

Verified Purchase

Where "Lean Startup" (Eric Ries) is the what and why, "Running Lean" is the how. It doesn't just talk, it shows and teaches, provides explanations, and even simple clear tools.I wish I had this book 20 years ago. I use it for projects on my job, and to build a new entrepreneurial company.

I am starting a new business from scratch while working a full-time job (on call 24/7), so I don't have a lot of "extra" time. After reading and starting to apply "Lean Startup" to my planning, I checked on some of the resources he offered that prominently displayed "Running Lean". You MUST get this book, and apply it along with the vast resources it offers in the book and online! The Lean Canvas is a huge productivity booster. Instead of wasting time on boring, laborious marketing plans, in 20 minutes you can have a clear structure that you can use for each piece of your whole process. Then use it to focus your team on all the aspects of "what to build, who to build it for, why build it, how to fund it, and where to expect revenues to come from".

You decide --- laser focus and optimizing your resources to achieve your BHAG, or wasting time and resources on the wrong things. Get this book, apply it and it's resources, and succeed! (This is for your company/product. For YOU to get even better ,check out "The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster" by Darren Hardy. These two resources will amp up your personal productivity and focus your company's efforts IMMENSELY! I know. I am doing it!)

One person found this helpful

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Robertm

Finally, actionable practice info you actually put into practice

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2012

Verified Purchase

When I tore through Running Lean I kept thinking (warning: 40 something TV reference inbound) of the TV show Name That Tune. Yes, the book has plenty of the pre-requisites for something you tear through - well written in a direct and approachable voice, moves along at a good clip, plenty of pointed observations and examples to bring them to life, etc. But what I found most powerful was that in his delivery of the book, Ash is eating his own Lean dog food not just on content but on how he delivers that content. The result? A how-to that definitely punches above its weight.

First, he shares the Lean-inspired principles at work in his business ventures, using the book as sort of an open bridge hand for us to watch as he plays. Table stakes for this kind of a tome yes, but done well. As important though, he's been able to convey these interesting Lean principles in a simpler, more graspable, practical and flexible way than I've encountered elsewhere. With the result being a really short walk between the ideas in his book and real word applications to the new venture I've been working on. And that's when you know you have a good resource for helping you actually do something differently...you're engaged by the thinking on the first run through, and returning often to try out bits and pieces on the real world questions you're wrestling around with... rather than just liking the ideas but feeling overwhelmed by the effort or rigidity of applying them to your situation. Definitely plenty of virtual thumb grease on this one from heavy use and more to come. And definitely helping me call the tune on plenty of decisions in the fewest notes possible.

One person found this helpful

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InformedConsumer1

A mock-up demo is essential before building a software product. Then add a Lean Canvas.

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

In today's fast-paced world, few people have time to read . . . especially, a 100-page business plan that makes a lot of claims that are unproven. Forty years ago, I created demos using a stack of Vu-graphs (that I created using Harvard Graphics) and an overhead projector to show simulations of what my software designs would. I now use PowerPoint and its hypertext capabilities along with online conferencing, to avoid airplanes and what had been cramming 40 pounds of equipment and a portable hand truck into an overhead compartment along with a heavy briefcase.
Chapter 8 in the book contains 25 pages of sage advice about successful demos that make it easier to test markets before creating actual software.
Other parts of the book cover the Lean Canvas which provide highlight of a project that will develop it.
Simply put, my advise is to create a demo along with a Lean Canvas and refine them with open-ended interviews of prospective users. The book will help convince naysayers who think they can skip the demo and serve as a checklist for moving a development project forward to attain a successful product once it reaches the market.

4 people found this helpful

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