The 90-Day Founder Sprint: A Program Management Guide

1. Program Introduction & Benefits

The 90-Day Founder Sprint is a structured coaching program designed to transform entrepreneurial chaos into predictable, high-leverage execution. It integrates agile sprint methodology, Lean Startup experimentation, and behavior-change coaching into a single, cohesive 90-day system. The program's core essence is to move entrepreneurs and startup teams from reactive firefighting to proactive, outcome-driven weekly sprints that directly advance their most critical business goals.

Strategic Benefits for Entrepreneurs & Startups:

1. Clarity & Focus: Translates overwhelming opportunity and to-do lists into a clear 90-day North Star, 1-3 "Big 3" initiatives, and a single, primary weekly outcome, drastically reducing decision fatigue.
2. Predictable Execution Velocity: Installs a non-negotiable weekly rhythm (planning, daily check-ins, review/retro) that builds execution muscle, increases sprint completion rates, and creates reliable momentum.
3. Validated Learning Over Busywork: Aligns weekly productivity with growth-critical experiments, ensuring effort is invested in reducing business uncertainty and moving key metrics, not low-leverage tasks.
4. Sustainable Founder Systems: Guides the creation of simple SOPs and delegation plans for recurring work, systematically freeing founder time for strategic focus and preventing burnout.
5. Compounded Quarterly Gains: Establishes a repeatable 90-day sprint cycle framework, enabling continuous improvement and allowing each quarter to build on the systems and momentum of the last.

2. Program Expansion Strategy

Evaluation: This is a Coaching Program, as defined in the input. The provided research data already deeply integrates coaching frameworks (e.g., GROW model, accountability) into the weekly sprint rhythm. Therefore, a supplemental layer is not required; coaching is the core delivery mechanism. The program's design inherently uses coaching sessions to facilitate goal (sprint) setting, reality checks, obstacle navigation, and commitment, which are essential for driving the behavior change needed to increase productivity.

3. Implementation Roadmap

Launch Phase (Pre-Week 1)

1. Participant Onboarding: Conduct intake sessions to establish each participant's 90-day "North Star" business outcome and baseline metrics (current weekly output, focus ratio).
2. Tool Setup: Ensure all participants have access to and basic proficiency in the selected core tools (see Approved Tools List).
3. Kickoff Workshop: Host a live session to introduce the 90-day framework, the "Big 3" initiative concept, and the weekly sprint ritual. Set expectations for coaching and peer interaction.
4. Artifact Creation: Guide participants to create their initial backlogs and draft their first weekly sprint plan.

Tracking & Operations (Weeks 1-12)

1. Weekly Sprint Cadence:
   • Monday: Participants submit sprint plans via the Coaching Software.
   • Daily: Participants complete a brief digital stand-up (in the Internal Social Network or task tool).
   • Friday: Participants submit sprint review & retrospective notes.
2. Coaching & Accountability:
   • Weekly Group Coaching Calls: Facilitate peer retrospectives, tackle common challenges, and deliver micro-lessons.
   • Bi-Weekly 1:1 Coaching Sessions: Use the GROW model to review individual progress, obstacles, and commitments.
   • Asynchronous Check-ins: Use the Coaching Software for milestone tracking and prompt-based reflections.
3. Progress Visualization: Maintain a program-level dashboard (within the LMS or Coaching Software) tracking aggregate sprint completion rates and velocity.

Success Measurement

Quantitative KPIs (Tracked Weekly/Bi-Weekly):

• Sprint Completion Rate: % of planned weekly sprint outcomes fully achieved. (Target: Increase from ~50% to 70%+).
• Focus Ratio: % of completed tasks tied directly to "Big 3" initiatives. (Target: >60%).
• Experiment Throughput: Number of validated Lean Startup experiments completed per participant. (Target: 2-3).
• Systemization Output: Number of SOPs created per participant. (Target: 3-5).

Qualitative Feedback Mechanisms:

• Pre-, Mid- (Week 6), and Post-Program Survey: Measuring perceived control, clarity, and stress levels.
• Coach Rubric: Score the quality of sprint plans and retrospectives in 1:1 sessions.
• Final Retrospective & Playbook Submission: Qualitative analysis of learned practices and planned next steps.

4. Approved Tools List

• Coaching Software (Primary Platform): This is the central hub for managing the program. It will be used for scheduling 1:1 and group sessions, storing session notes, tracking participant goals/milestones (the 90-day North Star, "Big 3" initiatives), and housing the program dashboard.
• LMS (Learning Management System): This will host all asynchronous content—short video lessons on sprint planning, Lean Startup, energy management—and contain quizzes or reflection assignments. It structures the 10% "structured learning" component.
• Internal Social Network: This facilitates the 20% "peer interaction" component. It will host the daily stand-up threads, dedicated channels for peer support and accountability, and announcements for live group calls.

Justification: The Coaching Software is essential for the core mentor/coach relationship and progress tracking. The LMS provides a structured, scalable way to deliver the curriculum's educational pillars. The Internal Social Network creates a community of practice, enabling the daily rhythms and peer learning that are critical for behavior change in entrepreneurs. Tools like Mentorship Software or ERG Software are less relevant for this focused, outcome-driven coaching format.

5. Resource & Content Library

Training Content for Coaches

• Guide: "Facilitating the GROW Model in a Sprint Context" – Scripts for linking Goal, Reality, Options, and Will to weekly sprint reviews.
• Video Series: "Coaching the Entrepreneurial Mindset" – Techniques for challenging busywork, reinforcing focus, and managing founder-specific stressors.
• Template Library: Curated sprint planning templates, retrospective formats, and experiment canvases to recommend to coachees.
• Article: "Interpreting Agile & Lean Metrics for Coaching Conversations" – How to use velocity and completion rate data to prompt insight.

Training Content for Coachees (Entrepreneurs)

• Module 1 (Weeks 1-3): "From Vision to Weekly Sprints" – Video lessons on defining a North Star, creating a backlog, and time-blocking for deep work.
• Module 2 (Weeks 4-6): "Mastering Your Execution Rhythm" – Short guides on daily stand-ups, combating procrastination, and energy management techniques.
• Module 3 (Weeks 7-9): "Sprinting on Experiments" – Micro-lessons on hypothesis design, one-week experiment planning, and validating learning.
• Module 4 (Weeks 10-12): "Building to Scale" – Tutorials on creating simple SOPs, delegation checklists, and conducting a 90-day review.
• Templates: Downloadable sprint plan, experiment report, SOP outline, and retrospective worksheet.