Product Systematization Lab: A 4-Month Program for Entrepreneurs

1. Program Introduction & Benefits

The Product Systematization Lab is a 4-month, intensive training program designed for entrepreneurs and startup teams. Its core essence is to transform ad-hoc product development into a disciplined, repeatable system by combining Lean/Agile product frameworks with applied practice on a real MVP, using a blended, experiential learning model (70% doing, 20% coaching/peers, 10% theory).

Strategic Benefits for Entrepreneurs & Startups:

1. Process Internalization: Move from intuition-based decisions to a hypothesis-driven, systematic product management process, reducing waste and increasing focus.
2. De-risked Validation: Learn and apply frameworks to rigorously test core business assumptions before over-investing in development, saving critical time and capital.
3. Actionable Momentum: Exit the program with a live, iterated MVP, tangible user data, and a clear 90-day product plan, creating immediate traction.
4. Foundational Discipline: Establish lightweight but essential Agile execution cadences (e.g., sprints, retros) and metric-tracking habits that scale with the team.
5. Peer & Expert Network: Gain ongoing support and accountability through structured peer review and coaching from practitioners who understand the startup context.

2. Program Expansion Strategy

Evaluation: This is a Training Program with a strong applied component. While it incorporates coaching (20% of the 70-20-10 model), adding a formal, supplemental Mentorship layer would significantly enhance long-term outcomes and accountability.

Proposed Mentorship Layer Addition:

• Why it Adds Value: A structured mentorship program pairs alumni with experienced product leaders or serial entrepreneurs. This provides sustained, personalized guidance beyond the program's 4-month scope, helping founders navigate the complex challenges of scaling, team building, and advanced product strategy that follow initial MVP validation.
• Implementation Note: Launch a "Graduate Mentorship Circle" post-program. Use a matching algorithm based on industry, business model, and founder challenges. Facilitate bi-monthly check-ins for the first 6 months, focusing on strategic roadmap execution, stakeholder management, and scaling the product process established in the core program.

3. Implementation Roadmap

Launch Phase Checklist

1. Define & Recruit: Finalize program branding and value proposition. Open applications with clear criteria (founding team, identified problem space, commitment to weekly time investment).
2. Assemble Faculty: Secure Lead Facilitator (senior product practitioner) and 3-4 Specialist Coaches (experts in discovery, lean UX, agile, metrics).
3. Set Up Infrastructure: Configure the LMS (see Approved Tools) with all weekly content, assignment submission portals, and discussion forums. Schedule all synchronous sessions (theory, coaching, demos).
4. Kick-off & Baseline: Conduct orientation. Administer pre-program self-assessment on core skills. Facilitate initial team formation and goal-setting workshops.

Tracking & Operations

• Weekly Cadence:
  • Monday: Theory content (pre-recorded video/readings) released via LMS.
  • Wednesday: Live virtual "Office Hours" for Q&A on theory.
  • Friday: Teams submit weekly practice deliverables (e.g., interview summaries, backlog) to the LMS.
  • Bi-Weekly: Dedicated coaching sessions (using GROW model) and structured peer review rounds.
• Milestone Reviews: Formal, rubric-based evaluations at each of the 5 key milestones by program coaches, with actionable feedback.
• Communication Hub: Use the LMS announcements and forums as the single source of truth for schedule, resources, and cohort-wide communication.

Success Measurement

• Quantitative KPIs:
  • Learning: >40% average increase in pre/post self-assessment scores on core competencies.
  • Process: 90% of teams establish a documented discovery process and regular iteration cadence by Month 3.
  • MVP: 100% of teams launch a live MVP/test; 80% show measurable improvement in a key metric (e.g., activation, conversion) between v1 and v2.
  • Engagement: >85% average attendance and assignment completion rate.
• Qualitative Feedback Mechanisms:
  • Mid-program retrospective for anonymous feedback on pace and content.
  • End-of-program survey focusing on perceived ability to run a repeatable product process.
  • Investor panel rubric scoring of final presentations on "clarity of strategy" and "evidence-based decision making."

4. Approved Tools List

• LMS (Learning Management System): Primary Tool. This is non-negotiable for delivering the 10% theory (video lectures, readings), managing the 70% practice (assignment submission, tracking), and facilitating the 20% peer interaction (discussion forums, peer review workflows). It centralizes all content and progress tracking.
• Internal Social Network: Secondary Tool. To be used within the LMS if possible, or as a supplemental platform (e.g., a dedicated cohort channel). Critical for fostering community, enabling informal peer support, sharing resources, and maintaining engagement between live sessions—key for a distributed entrepreneurial cohort.

Justification: A Mentorship or Coaching software platform is not selected as the primary tool because the core program is a structured training curriculum with embedded coaching elements. An LMS is the correct vehicle for curriculum delivery, progress tracking, and cohort management. The Internal Social Network supports the vital peer-learning component of the 70-20-10 model.

5. Resource & Content Library

General Program Content

• Video Lecture Series: "Lean Startup in Practice: From Hypothesis to MVP," "The Art of the Customer Interview," "Prioritization Frameworks for Resource-Strapped Teams," "From Vanity to Actionable Metrics," "Running Effective Sprint Ceremonies as a Founder."
• Templates & Guides: Customer Discovery Interview Script, Assumptions Mapping Canvas, Lean Experiment Canvas, One-Page PRD Template, MVP Metrics Tracking Plan, Lightweight Product Roadmap (Now/Next/Later).
• Case Studies: Deconstruction of early MVP journeys from companies like Dropbox, Airbnb, and Buffer. Analysis of a pivot based on validated learning.
• Readings & Curated Articles: Key excerpts from The Lean Startup, Inspired, and Continuous Discovery Habits. Articles on Jobs-to-be-Done, Innovation Accounting, and Product-Market Fit indicators.

Supplemental Mentoring Content Table

To support the proposed post-program mentorship layer and enhance peer coaching during the program.

Mentoring Topic	Description	Format
Active Listening for Discovery	Techniques to move beyond leading questions and uncover deep user needs and motivations.	Short Guide & Video Demo
Giving & Receiving Constructive Feedback	Frameworks for effective peer review on product artifacts and strategic decisions.	Interactive Worksheet
Stakeholder Alignment & Communication	Managing co-founder dynamics and communicating product strategy to early advisors or investors.	Role-play Scenario Guide
Founder Resilience & Managing Uncertainty	Strategies for maintaining team morale and making decisions amidst ambiguous data.	Podcast Series with Founder Stories
Mentor-Mentee Relationship Structuring	Setting expectations, goals, and effective meeting agendas for productive mentorship.	Checklist & Agreement Template