Lean Start-up in Large Enterprises Using Human-Centered Design Thinking: A New Approach for Developing Transformational and Disruptive Innovations

This chapter introduces the lean start-up process, integrates it with key concepts in human-centered design, and shows how it can be used for developing breakthrough innovations. In the first section, the principles and methodology of the lean start-up approach is discussed. In the second section, breakthrough innovation is defined within the context of sustaining, transformational, and disruptive innovation. The third section provides a definition of what a business model is and demonstrates how the lean start-up approach makes the business model a key outcome. The fourth section discusses the lean start-up approach through the lens of human-centered design principles and evaluates the attributes of different business model canvases. The final section offers a discussion of lessons learned from implementing the lean start-up approach in enterprises. The lean start-up process has the potential to become the gold standard project management process for transformational and disruptive innovations.