What the Lean Method is really about
19/09/2025 - Lean Method - 3/4 minutes
You’ve probably heard about the lean method dozens of times, often with the assumption that everyone already knows what it is (I’m guilty of that myself). But have you ever stopped to ask what it’s really about?
First, let’s clear up a common misconception: many people have the wrong idea of what this process actually involves.
So, let’s begin with what it’s not.
1. The lean method is not about speed. It’s about learning.
As you talk with early-stage founders (mainly in the software industry), you often hear stories of going from a morning idea to having a product ready by the evening. And while it’s true that the lean method can dramatically speed up timelines, that’s not its main purpose. These founders don’t build a product in one or two days out of haste, but rather to gather the first feedback as quickly as possible. In fact, the core goal of the lean method is learning — and this has to be done while minimizing waste, especially of time.
2. The MVP is not a crappy prototipe
One of the most talked-about concepts in the lean method is the MVP, or Minimum Viable Product. Many people assume it means “a half-baked product”, a substitute for prototype, but that’s a totally different story.
A prototype is primarily about testing feasibility — whether an idea can actually be built, if the technology works, the design holds up, or the mechanics function as intended. It’s a way to experiment and uncover technical limitations before investing heavily in production or a market launch.
While a prototype helps you understand what could work, the MVP helps you understand what actually works.
3. It’s only for startups. It’s not.
It’s often mentioned in the startup world, where it’s immensely useful, but its power doesn’t stop there.
The lean method is applicable to any initiative that faces a significant degree of uncertainty, not just startups. Whenever you’re trying something new and the outcome is unknown, the principles of testing, learning, and minimizing waste are valuable.
For example:
· A new project within an established company trying out an innovative product or service.
· A marketing campaign exploring untested strategies or channels.
· A political campaign testing messages and outreach methods before a big launch.
In short, lean thinking is about reducing uncertainty and learning quickly, no matter the context.
Now, what the Lean Method is really about?
In short, in the Lean method, you are not an entrepreneur—you are a scientist.
Your role is not so much to create the product or generate revenue, but to design experiments to understand whether people would actually buy your product. When you decide to pursue a certain problem-solution fit, you also make a set of assumptions that you believe are correct (for example: X has problem Y, wants features Z, W, and K, and would buy it at a certain price). But in reality, these are untested assumptions—you don’t know if they are truly correct. For instance, people might not want features Z, W, and K, or they might not even have the problem you thought you were solving.
To test these assumptions, you should follow the Build – Measure – Learn process:
Build – Create an MVP: this could be a landing page, a mockup, a presentation, a survey—anything that allows you to have direct contact with customers (a small control group, maybe a few dozen people).
Measure – Design your experiment: define what it will consist of (e.g., a one-week trial, €100 in marketing, 1,000 flyers, an online survey), set your target goal, specify what you hope to achieve and in what timeframe, then run the test.
Learn – Compare the results with your expectations. If they are similar, you can move forward; if they differ significantly and relate to a fundamental assumption, you will need to adjust your idea based on these new insights.
You will almost certainly find something that doesn’t work, so iterate this process multiple times, focusing especially on untested or incorrect assumptions. Only once all assumptions have been validated should you move on to fully creating the product.
Startup Tip: In testing, aim for as much direct contact as possible, where the participant can give open-ended feedback about what doesn’t work and what they would like. These insights will prove far more valuable than any metrics you might track.
Good luck and be rational
Author: Marco Carabelli
Based on: “The lean startup” (Eric Ries - book)