STARTUP Club - Sprints

Introduction

Sprintintransitive verb \sprint\

:to run or go at top speed especially for a short distance

Mirriam-Webster Dictionary

Introduction

Sprint methodology formalized as Agile method of software developmentIdea of regular, repeatable work cyles; each cycle having specific set of goalsAdopted in the business world recently as Lean methodology minimum viable product (MVP) and rapid iteration based on customer feedbackExpanded recently by Brian P. Moran in his 12 Week Year book and program in essence redefining the business year as a 12 week sprintThe essence is the same: focus and go full out for a short period of time for best results - fast

STARTUP Club Sprints

Primarily a 30-Day Sprint cycleWeekly review cycles within the sprintKey notion is that the sprint is time boxed the sprint is done at the end of the 30 days, not when a specific goal is achieved

Key Sprint Components

Start with the end in mind - a longer term vision for the businessFollow STARTUP Club implementation guides and checklists to establish current situation and next steps / milestonesImplement in 30-day sprints towards the next milestoneEstablish 30 day priorities and metricsImplement daily, review weeklyOptional, but highly desireable: get external / public accountability (e.g. 30-Day STARTUP Club Sprint Events)

Sample Sprint Plan

PREPARATION/PLANNING (Day 1-2):Do a clean sweep - dump everything out of your head and into a listEliminate old, outdate, or no longer important or relevant itemsWakeup Productive: clean up grey areas"

Review the gates in the 7 Steps To A Successful Information Product Implementation ChecklistIdentify where you are, and what your next gateUse appropriate Implementation Checklists to set your goals and outcomes, and map out a strategy/plan

Identify and prioritize your goals for that main outcomeSelect and Prioritize your goals/activity for a sprintPut everything else on an ideas or pending list for reference

Identify key metrics/indicators that you can use to track progressLeading indicators, activity based, e.g.:

Freeline Content creation/distributionNumber of ads runNumber of webinars heldNumber of partners/rainmakers reachedNumber of emails sentNumber of promo campaigns runetc.

Trailing indicators, results based, e.g.Trac (unique new and repeat visitors)Ad clickthrough rates / clicks from contentSubscribers (new subscribers, total subscribers)Optin conversion rates (per lead magnet/overall)Sales and refund (New, repeat, from which products)Sales page or funnel conversion ratesCustomer service requests (and ratings)

Identify additional resourcesAllocate budgetIdentify and consider learning curves, eciencies (and opportunities to outsource/partner)Establish the baseline for key metricsSet up tracking tools

WEEKLY (Day 3-29):Beginning of every week

Optional, recommended: "Weekly Checkin"Review prior weeks results, learn and adaptReview and update list of priorities/goals for the sprintIdentify the weeks top goals and prioritiesBlock out time (daily) to work on your top priorities

During the week / DailyReview and prioritize each days work dailyWork on your top 1-3 priority activities (Kanban Style - Planned, Active/Waiting, Done)Work in 50/10 sprints, start the day with your ritual, end with regeneration

End of the weekReview goals / achievements, create scorecardChart and review metrics

END OF SPRINT (Day 30):Stop activityReview goals, achievements, metricsIntegrate, learn, improveprepare for next sprintTake time to rest, regenerate

STARTUP Club Sprint Event- Optional, but highly recommended: For motivation and accountability participate in July Sprint EVENT"

- Post a thread that will act as your daily planner/journal

- Do your weekly checkins and scorecard

- Complete Instructions will be posted in the event