Just a reminder to the startup community to think about Heilmeier’s catechism when creating products or solutions.
George H. Heilmeier is credited for asking a set of very basic questions that anyone proposing a research project or product development effort should be able to answer.
Here are the questions:
- What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon.
- How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
- What’s new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful?
- Who cares?
- If you’re successful, what difference will it make?
- What are the risks and the payoffs?
- How much will it cost?
- How long will it take?
- What are the midterm and final “exams” to check for success?
Deceptively simple, yet fundamental.
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