The Beginning, An Introduction to Lean Startup Principles

In June we are going to repeat our inaugural introductory session to the Lean Startup principles. If you're new to Lean Startup, you missed the last session, or just want a recap and to meet new people, come join us!

We will walk you through the steps of applying Lean Startup to your own business, complete with hands-on exercises. This will introduce you to the core concepts, teach you the steps involved, and show you where to go next.

Core Concepts:

A Brief History

Customer Discovery

• Build-Measure-Learn Loop
• Assumptions vs. Validated Learning
• Measuring Success & Failure
• Problem/Solution Fit
• Pivots

MVPs

• Getting "Out of the Building"
• Interviews
• Prototypes
• Concierge
• Wizard of Oz

Pirate Metrics

The Product Lifecycle & Crossing the Chasm

• Finding Your Biggest Fans

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About the presenters:

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Ben Willman is currently a Presidential Innovation Fellow working at the Department of Veteran Affairs working to bring modern product development practices to how the VA serves veterans through hundreds of millions of dollars in software each year. He has been involved with startups in New York and DC since the mid 90's as a founder/CTO of UstreamIt( a streaming media startup) as well as being a software developer and technology manager. He has been active in the DC Lean Startup community for the past four years including speaking at the DC Lean Startup Circle as well as an Organizing Team member of the Lean Startup Machine and a mentor in events in DC, New York and Philadelphia. As a long-time developer of many technology products he is aware that in most cases the risk to a startup is not whether it can be built but rather whether customers are interested and will ultimately pay for it. That is what the Lean Startup methodology attempts to get at. He is also avidly interested in Human Centered Design (Design Thinking) as a roadmap to understanding customers and enjoys marrying Lean Startup / Human Centered Design principles. He also enjoys perform improv comedy at the Washington Improv Theater.

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Pete Oliver-Krueger is a Lean/Agile/UX coach and trainer in the DC area with 20 years of experience in Agile Technology Management, Lean Startup-style Customer Development, Business Strategy Planning, and Usability Testing. He has been active in the Lean Startup community for the past four years, including speaking at DC Lean Startup Circle, presenting at the Lean/Agile DC conference, organizing the first Lean Startup Machine - Philadelphia, and mentoring events in DC and Philadelphia. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, he got his start at CMU's Robotics Institute, later joining the team that launched the first accredited Web-based university in the world. His software architectures power multiple systems for government agencies like the FDA, NASA, WMATA, and the Pentagon, and he has led many high-profile teams, including the relaunch of TD Ameritrade's new online trading platform. He also mentors social entrepreneurs across the country like Flikshop, a mobile app which connects families and inmates, reduces recidivism rates, and provides new opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

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About the location:

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UberOffices (http://uberoffices.com/) is graciously sponsoring us for this meetup by providing space for us in their newly-rennovated Dupont Circle location. If you are in need a place to work and collaborate with other startups and creatives, check them out. Their website says it well, "We understand what it is like to be a startup with a tight budget... We build tight-knit communities filled with inspiring and passionate members... Coworking at UberOffices (http://uberoffices.com/) gives you the opportunity to meet, mingle, and network with innovative companies that share the same desire for serious work."