The Lean Startup

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• apply the Lean Startup methodology;
• critically reflect on the value, suitability and limits of the Lean Startup methodology.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the Lean Startup methodology;
• the scientific method.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• work effectively in groups and recognise problems associated with group working;
• use library and other resources effectively, and apply bibliographical skills.
• collect and critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative information;
• communicate ideas and arguments fluently and effectively in a variety of written and spoken formats;

The topics covered in this module will include:

Lean manufacturing

Lean Startup

The scientific method

Experimental models

Split testing

Hypothesis testing

Problem solving models

Team working

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, group discussions, and self-directed learning.

The lean startup method and its foundations (lean manufacturing, the scientific method) will be introduced in a series of lectures, directed reading, videos and class discussion. Seminars will allow students to discuss their experiences of applying the Lean Startup methods and their experiences of teamwork.

Guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences with using the Lean Startup method in practice.

An individual report will require students to carry out independent research into the effectiveness of the Lean Startup method in a range of settings, and to critically assess their own group project.

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

Shepherd, D. A. & Gruber, M (2020). The lean startup framework: Closing the academic–practitioner divide. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice.

Bocken, N., & Snihur, Y (2020). Lean Startup and the business model: Experimenting for novelty and impact. , 53(4), pp. 101953.

Grimes, M. G (2018). The pivot: How founders respond to feedback through idea and identity work. Academy of Management Journal, 61, pp. 1692-1717.

Mansoori, Y., Karlsson, T., & Lundqvist, M. (2019). The influence of the lean startup methodology on entrepreneur-coach relationships in the context of a startup accelerator. Technovation, 84, pp. 37-47.

Harms, R., & Schwery, M (2020). Lean startup: Operationalizing lean startup capability and testing its performance implications. Journal of small business management, 58(1), pp. 200-223.

Ghezzi, A., & Cavallo, A. (2020). Agile business model innovation in digital entrepreneurship: Lean startup approaches. Journal of business research, 110, pp. 519-537.

Blank, S (2013). Why the lean start-up changes everything. Harvard business review, 91(5), pp. 63-72.

Yang, X., Sun, S. L., & Zhao, X. (2019). Search and execution: examining the entrepreneurial cognitions behind the lean startup model. Small Business Economics, 52(3), pp. 667-679.

Bortolini, R.F., Cortimiglia M.N., Ferreira Danilevicz M.N., Ghezzi, A. (2018). Lean Startup: a comprehensive historical review. Management Decision.

Textbooks

Ries, Eric (2011). “The lean startup: how today's entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses. Crown Publishing.

Gruber, M. & Tal, S (2017). Where to play: 3 steps for discovering your most valuable market opportunities. Pearson.

Osterwalder, A. & Pigneur, Y (2010). Business model generation: A handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. John Wiley & Sons.

Blank, S (2007). The four steps to the epiphany: Successful strategies for products that win. John Wiley & Sons.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External