Challenges of the Lean Startup Method: Entrepreneurial Knowledge Management during the BML-Loop

The Lean Startup methodology represents a new way of guiding startups. The therefore by Eric Ries developed Build-Measure-Learn loop should speed up the learning and development of Lean Startups through a validated learning process. This paper examines the different knowledge management aspects that are implied within the different stages of the circle and evaluates whether they are applicable in regard to the capabilities of independent startups. Four different stages, namely preparation, execution, evaluation and external knowledge have been identified from a knowledge perspective. The analysis of multiple, independent startups has shown that most ventures possess the correct infrastructure, can develop appropriate metrics, assign clear responsibilities and are capable of partial validity tests for the evaluation of qualitative data measurement. Contrary, the findings indicated that the requirements of Lean Startups in terms of the frequency for evaluation and the qualification needed for measurement significantly differed from the capabilities of the independent ventures. Further, the interviews indicated that many independent startups executed quantitative data measurement with no clear validation structure.