Running lean
by Ash Maurya · first published 2012
65% recommend32% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
A step-by-step process for validating a startup idea: Lean Canvas, scripted problem and solution interviews, and testing risky assumptions before coding. Suits first-time founders wanting more practical detail.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Honestly, I'm just applying stuff as preached by Customer Development & Lean Startup. I highly recommend those. Ash Maurya's Running Lean has some good conversation "templates" too. What I bring to the table here is not anything new that nobody has already talked about. What I bring here is the actual physical act of picking up the phone…
on “Offer HN: FREE: I'll make your first 10 cold calls” ↗Hey SoftwareMaven Have you read Ash Maurya's Running Lean startup guide (http://www.runningleanhq.com/). That's basically our bible at Betable. It walks you through all of the steps for finding customers, interviewing them, and digesting the results
on “Ask HN: Getting customer development meetings” ↗Ash Maurya's Running Lean did not get as much attention, but it is also a great book[1]. Many of his experiences are also easily found on his amazing blog[2]. [1] http://www.runningleanhq.com/ [2] http://www.ashmaurya.com/
on “The Lean Startup is a NYTimes Best Seller.” ↗…MVP? If you can pull it off, you can validate that your idea really solves a pain of the customer (right now you have probably validated that your customers have a pain). I'll also recommend the book Running Lean by Ash Maurya, he gives very concrete instructions on what to do and it is a very guide with a lot of practical tips (vs. a high level description).
on “Ask HN: Got unexpected feedback - where do I go from here?” ↗…that it will be a good business. You should validate your ideas before you start coding stuff. Read a few books on doing a startup ('Lean Startup' by Eric Ries, 'Customer Development' by Steve Blank, 'Running Lean' by Ash Maurya).
Running Lean by Ash Maurya - the most actionable book on the Lean Startup Methodology imho.
on “Ask HN: What's on your reading list? Recommendations? ” ↗…the proverbial building and find people who you think might have the problem and ask them some specific questions that will help you identify whether there is an potential or not. I reccomend reading "Running Lean" by Ash Maurya as it provides a great framework and sequence of steps to follow to validate your idea In terms of the kinds of questions you might ask: A. Customer Segments: Who has the pain? • How…
on “Ask HN: How do you decide which idea to work on?” ↗Cheers! Just one thing with respect to the books mentioned at the end of the post. I've read all of them and don't think that you need any of them. If you are going to pick one up - get "Running Lean" by Ash Maurya - it's literally a step by step manual on how to do whatever it is you need to.
on “Is my startup idea solving a real need out there?” ↗Steve Blank and Eric Ries have great books on the subject. But if you want a step-by-step process, I'd read Ash Maurya's Running Lean. We pretty much followed it to a T and ended up with a validated solution that now has hundreds of paying customers.
on “Ask HN: following Customer Discovery/Validation how far did your startup go?” ↗…hardware to start. Reading a books like "Calm Technology" and books on lean startups would be good too. Books: http://www.amazon.com/Calm-Technology-Principles-Patterns-No... http://www.amazon.com/Running-Lean-Iterate-Works-OReilly/dp/...
on “Ask HN: What are the challenges of building a personal assistant like Siri?” ↗Please read * Running Lean by Ash Maurya * Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder When it comes to polishing your product, the growth.design course is excellent. Sell before you build a full fledged product. Create…
on “Ask HN: Should I give up and get a job?” ↗…travel the world for less than a day of contractor work a week. So if you're still interested in building startups, my next piece of advice is to really read up on Customer Development. Read Ash Maurya's Running Lean http://www.runningleanhq.com/, Eric Ries' upcoming book (he also has some lectures on Udemy) and Steve Blank's blog, in particular about the class he gave at Stanford. Key takeaway for me: figure out…
on “The Big Plan” ↗Additionally, I HIGHLY suggest taking a look at the Business Model Generation by Alex Osterwalder and Running Lean By Ash Maurya. LINKS: http://www.businessmodelgeneration.com/ http://www.runningleanhq.com/
on “Ask HN: Best resources for learning to build good products?” ↗…people about your MVP, you'll organically figure out who your pilot customers will be. Get out of the office and talk to customers! Suggested reading: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries (fresh off the press!) Running Lean by Ash Maurya http://www.runningleanhq.com/
on “Ask HN: Getting customer development meetings” ↗I've been where you are now and I perservered on and it was for me the wrong choice. For you it might be the correct choice. How do you know? Read Eric Ries the lean startup and Ash Maurya's Running Lean and I truthfully belive you will get your answer. Just wish they had been published ten years sooner.
on “Ask HN: Persevere, pivot, or fail?” ↗