Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works (Lean Series)

I figure that if I get more than one usable idea out of a 'how to' book then I am doing well. I got three from this book - a rare achievement in a market full of formula driven thrash.

The first message is clear - long winded business plans that pretend to predict the future have no place in a lean start up and, as someone who's done a lean start up, I agree. The other message? Focus on the customer.

None of that is new, but what I did find new was an approach to business planning and metric monitoring that gets all the important stuff onto one page. While written for software startups, the book has lots of value for anyone trying to get a new business up and running (I'm starting a non-software company and the book has been a godsend).

I would have given this book five stars but it is lumpy. Some points are labored, the obvious is stated a few times too many, and it is a bit heavy on the aconyms..

But these are minor flaws in a book that is perhaps most marked by the obvious excitement of the author for his topic. As for the three things I learnt? Two have been mentioned (the one page plan and metrics - truly great) and the third was some sensible stuff startegies to follow as you get your product to a market fit.

If you are planning a software start up then buy this book - my guess is that you will learn something (if not you can feel comfortable in your pre-existing well rounded knowledge). If you are planning a start-up in another field then this is still worth a read. As I indicated above, I'm starting a new business (a small group tour company) and while much of the book wasn't relevant to the specifics of that business, there was enough there to justify the cover price and time taken to read it.

There are a lot of great writings about the lean approach to startups, but many of them fall short of implementation details. Ash fixes that. He gives highly detailed, practical instructions in implementing the best principles of lean startups in your business. Having come from two very different startup experiences - one lean and one not - I can say that I wish I'd had his guide before embarking on either of them. Highly recommended.

I'm in the beginning stages of my first startup. I have read/studied all the great books out there pertaining to building a startup. Steve Blank's Owner's Manual is the second best after Running Lean. Running Lean is the MOST useful tool of them all because it is the most immediately applicable to what I or any entrepreneur is trying to accomplish. He provides a very concise and well written step by step course of action and great tools to work you through the startup building process. What's more, he backs it up with wonderful online videos. Hard to beat!

I read Running Lean right after I read Lean Startup by Eric Ries. So I was already on the Lean Startup train, but it was Ash Maurya's book that showed me how to put the principles to work. It's easy to read and very straight-forward. He provides tools and interview scripts for you to put into practice immediately. I was in the process of writing a book proposal and his own process for writing his book outlined in the book encouraged me to get audience feedback immediately by doing lectures first for free, then paid. Copying his process for sure played a part in me getting a book deal too! I started teaching a college class about designing MVPs for online products and made his book the required reading. It was perfect and Ash even provided my class academic access to his Lean Canvas tool. I can not recommend this book more, especially if you want to put Lean Startup principles into practice! Thank you Ash!!!!!

Indispensible! Useful for many professions.

It's impressive how Ash Maurya has taken the Lean Startup method from theory to practice. The book gives great examples based on strong case studies, practical tools and easy to understand insight into how to perform customer interviews.

This book of yours gives new meaning to the word perspicacious.

Having read more than a few other books on customer development and lean startup, I was reluctant (read exhausted) when considering yours…

What hooked me was your objective analysis of both Steve Blank and Eric Ries’ work vis-a-vis a normal, non-enterprise startup.

Clearly, both have made epic contributions to our profession. That said, neither are quickly or easily adaptable to the typical startup.

While it took 3+ readings (the compact size of your book is deceiving), I was able to transform the majority of your exquisite advise into a quasi-checklist I’ll be using to manage my startup (and to more holistically manage the product at my day job, too).

Replete with excellent advise, your book is the one I recommend to everyone/anyone I meet. It should sell for $1,000!

In terms of constructive criticism, there is not much mention of mobile apps which may – or may not – be better (or more specifically) served with slightly adjusted text/information. To the extent that Blank & Dorf distinguished between physical and digital products, your third edition might want to consider something similar…

Regardless, now that we’ve got your great advice summarized in a practical, practicable checklist, we’re back to the race with a far better guide.

Please keep up the magnificent work; you, sir, are an international treasure to startups everywhere.

This book of yours gives new meaning to the word perspicacious.

Having read more than a few other books on customer development and lean startup, I was reluctant (read exhausted) when considering yours…

What hooked me was your objective analysis of both Steve Blank and Eric Ries’ work vis-a-vis a normal, non-enterprise startup.

Clearly, both have made epic contributions to our profession. That said, neither are quickly or easily adaptable to the typical startup.

While it took 3+ readings (the compact size of your book is deceiving), I was able to transform the majority of your exquisite advise into a quasi-checklist I’ll be using to manage my startup (and to more holistically manage the product at my day job, too).

Replete with excellent advise, your book is the one I recommend to everyone/anyone I meet. It should sell for $1,000!

In terms of constructive criticism, there is not much mention of mobile apps which may – or may not – be better (or more specifically) served with slightly adjusted text/information. To the extent that Blank & Dorf distinguished between physical and digital products, your third edition might want to consider something similar…

Regardless, now that we’ve got your great advice summarized in a practical, practicable checklist, we’re back to the race with a far better guide.

Please keep up the magnificent work; you, sir, are an international treasure to startups everywhere.

This is not your typical book for learning how to start a business. Ash's commentary is direct and easy to follow. I've started and stopped many business ideas because I can't get through or past the business plan phase. Now I'm writing business plans in a couple of hours and able to adjust on the fly. I haven't brought a business to product/market fit point as of yet, but I am extremely confident that when I do it will be with confidence, market knowledge and minimal risk.

One other comment is that I've re-read sections of this book several times. It is a quick and simple read and well footnoted for those who want to go deeper into the theory. I will be using it as a reference for years to come.

Having graduated from a university program, I have been taught this subject, consulted with entrepreneurs, and am always looking for more/better, more relevant info.

This one hits the nail on the head, buy this now!

The author covers the topics in ways you will understand and gets to the heart of the issues fast and precisely.

You will be able to pick this book up, no matter what your level, understand it, and be able to use it. His charts, exercises, referrals, and examples are great. I have gone to many of the websites referred and have found very useful info, documents, and downloads.

If you are working within a company and have a new idea, or if you are an owner, both of you will benefit from this book.