STARTUP Club - Sprints

Introduction

Sprint
intransitive 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 development
Idea of regular, repeatable work cyles; each cycle having specific set of goals
Adopted in the business world recently as Lean methodology
minimum viable product (MVP) and rapid iteration based on customer feedback
Expanded recently by Brian P. Moran in his 12 Week Year book and program
in essence redefining the business year as a 12 week sprint
The 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 cycle
Weekly review cycles within the sprint
Key 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 business
Follow STARTUP Club implementation guides and checklists to establish current situation and next steps / milestones
Implement in 30-day sprints towards the next milestone
Establish 30 day priorities and metrics
Implement daily, review weekly
Optional, 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 list
Eliminate old, outdate, or no longer important or relevant items
Wakeup Productive: clean up grey areas"
Review the gates in the 7 Steps To A Successful Information Product Implementation Checklist
Identify where you are, and what your next gate
Use appropriate Implementation Checklists to set your goals and outcomes, and map out a strategy/plan

Identify and prioritize your goals for that main outcome

Select and Prioritize your goals/activity for a sprint
Put everything else on an ideas or pending list for reference

Identify key metrics/indicators that you can use to track progress

Leading indicators, activity based, e.g.:
Freeline Content creation/distribution
Number of ads run
Number of webinars held
Number of partners/rainmakers reached
Number of emails sent
Number of promo campaigns run
etc.

Trailing indicators, results based, e.g.

Trac (unique new and repeat visitors)
Ad clickthrough rates / clicks from content
Subscribers (new subscribers, total subscribers)
Optin conversion rates (per lead magnet/overall)
Sales and refund (New, repeat, from which products)
Sales page or funnel conversion rates
Customer service requests (and ratings)

Identify additional resources

Allocate budget
Identify and consider learning curves, eciencies (and opportunities to outsource/partner)
Establish the baseline for key metrics
Set up tracking tools

WEEKLY (Day 3-29):

Beginning of every week
Optional, recommended: "Weekly Checkin"
Review prior weeks results, learn and adapt
Review and update list of priorities/goals for the sprint
Identify the weeks top goals and priorities
Block out time (daily) to work on your top priorities

During the week / Daily

Review and prioritize each days work daily
Work 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 week

Review goals / achievements, create scorecard
Chart and review metrics

END OF SPRINT (Day 30):

Stop activity
Review goals, achievements, metrics
Integrate, learn, improve
prepare for next sprint
Take 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