Ash Maurya

We are living in an age of entrepreneurship.

So, what separates successful startups from unsuccessful ones is not necessarily the fact that successful startups began with a better initial plan (or Plan A), but rather that they find a plan that works before running out of resources.

Most of the answers lie outside the building—not on your computer, or in the lab. You have to get out and directly engage customers.

Specifically, our objective is maximizing learning (about customers) per unit time.

The key takeaway from Lean Startup can best be summed up around the concept of using smaller, faster iterations for testing a vision.

Startups that succeed are those that manage to iterate enough times before running out of resources.

—Eric Ries

You get a gold star not for following a process, but for achieving results.

The proper application of any methodology first requires a clear understanding and separation of principles from tactics.

Principles guide what you do. Tactics show you how.

Document your Plan A.

Identify the riskiest parts of your plan.

Systematically test your plan.

Unfortunately, most Plan A’s don’t work.