Lean Startup – Definition

Businesses are very dynamic nowadays. Entrepreneurs cannot afford to stagnate, because this risks the imminent collapse of the company. This risk is especially dangerous for fresh businessmen starting out with innovative enterprises. Strategically introducing the company to the respective industry is the foundation for ensuring future stability.

The Lean Startup Method

One such strategy to do this is the Lean Startup method, which focuses on both business and product development. Its main goal is to shorten the product development cycle as much as possible, by reducing the time taken to experiment with the final product design, market research, and expectations. The lean startup method focuses on drawing conclusions from conducting tests, deciding whether any given action is correct or not. By following this iterative process, the product reduces the risk of being unappealing to the target customer. Testing the product in its earlier stages gives businesses a better understanding of what is expected and required, ensuring a more complete, final product enters the market. All of this helps to reduce the chances of failing.

The Pros and Cons of Lean Startup

When it comes to running a business, there is no one single ideal method. Company strategies must adapt to both market dynamics and the businesses own abilities. The main advantage of Lean Startups is that they consider a lot of opinions when preparing the final product, with customer expectations being kept in mind throughout. However, companies also need to show restraint, since excessive testing periods can cause companies to miss the perfect moment for releasing their product and entering the market. Furthermore, testing costs money, so the final profit value will be smaller with each additional test performed.

The Lean Startup method is a good way for many businesses to start. However, it is still necessary to keep this restraint in mind. New companies can get external help with this from specialized consulting companies.