Ronald Nomad’s Reviews > The Lean Startup > Status Update

I think I'm coming around on Eric

Lots of his methods names are so basic, but I guess that's what makes them clear. Like yes, call out the obsessive measurement of metrics that serve no purpose 'vanity metrics'

Test the strategy with a few test subjects. That way whatever results they are, it's low stakes.

"if you cannot fail, you cannot learn."

"This, validated learning is backed up by empirical data collected from real customers."

I repeat, I yell: he's not wrong! This is important!

But it's just analysis of user research and testing. (Maybe these weren't as widely known when initially published?)

"...which of our efforts are value-creating and which are wasteful?"

This actually resonates with me. I struggle to see which concerns are worth digging into and others that aren't even worth my time indulging.

"If we tried to explain why they should behave the way we predicted, they'd just shake their heads at us, bewildered."

This! It's exactly what Nelson Norman warned about when designing a product. "We must accept human behavior the way it is, not the way we wish it to be."

"See, we thought we should get a gold star for listening to our customers."

LOLLLL as if that isn't the bare minimum

I do not disagree that you should pinpoint valuable lessons learned. I've seen how easy it is to neglect rules and methodologies, unable to progress because we weren't taught (or listened to) the 'why'.

I just find it funny that we have to call learning "validated learning" because big men in tall towers can't see through the haze of, "You can't take learning to the bank."

"You can't take learning to the bank; you can't spend it or invest in it," said Mr. Monopoly.

"Unfortunately, "learning" is the oldest excuse in the book for a failure of execution."

I get at a certain point you want to see progress, but progress isn't linear. You rise, you fall, you learn. There shouldn't be shame in that.