SUPER LEAN Development Methodology for the Startup in Discovery Mode

The following is the development methodology I've been using on my Fantasy Sports startup, Easy Pickem.  The methodology grew from trying to stay lean and squeeze every last bit of waste out of the process to maximize value.  It is still very much a work in progress and I look forward to your valuable insights or constructive criticisms.

This is meant to be used after one has done their due diligence in customer development, has prioritized their hypothesis, and is ready to code the next most important feature.


SUPER LEAN Development Methodology for the Startup in Discovery Mode

1. Prototype - include only the minimum amount of effort for the desired UX and start in this order

          a. client UI/UX

          b. server-side logic (only if needed to test ux)

          c. database persistence layer (only if needed to test ux)

2. User Test

          a. Walk through UX for Use Case Yourself

          b. Have another person walk through the UX for the Use Case

3. Iterate Until UX Feels Good

4. Add Behavioral Tracking

         a. Google Analytics for instance for web/mobile products

5. Deploy / Launch / Ship the Prototype

6.  Develop a different prototype feature while collecting data

7. If Data Proves Prototype is Successful, continue to 8, otherwise, throw it away and start on next hypothesis prototype

8a.  If new features are to be built on top of prototype, Write Tests and Refactor with TDD

8b.  If new features are NOT to be built on top of prototype, you're done, move on to next hypothesis prototype

         - if you are wrong about this initially and have to come back to build on top of the prototype, take the time to refactor with TDD - it will save time

Do you agree with this format?  How would you improve it?

For more on Customer Development see Steve Blank's blog.