Lean Startup in 5 quotes

Here are 5 quotes chosen from Eric Ries to capture the ideas behind the Lean Startup concept. These quotes are taken from the book, “Lean Startup“.

Success is not delivering a feature. Success is learning how to solve the customer’s problem.

We celebrate when a feature ships, because it represents a team's work. But that does not mean the customer is going to use it. Understanding whether it solves the customer's problem, that is what deserves celebrating.

The only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else

A startup succeeds when it has found a business model that lets it create, deliver and capture value from its customers. To find this business model, you have to search, explore and learn what works and what does not. The faster you learn, the better your chances of finding this business model. And so… the only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else.

If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.

To learn what works, you have to try what does not work. Get it wrong, again and again, until, by improving with each attempt, you get to what works. This learning is at the heart of the Lean Startup model.

Good design is one that changes customer behaviour for the better

Faced with a design, we very quickly have opinions and preferences. We like it or we don't. But the only truth is the customer's and their behaviour. Does this new design change customer behaviour? This is easy to test online with A/B tests.

When in doubt, simplify.

What else?

I recommend reading the whole book, available on Amazon.