In the final 100-yard sprint of the 1929 NCAA Track & Field Championships, George Simpson, representing Ohio State University, was in lane six. Positioned behind the starting line, he steadied himself in the straddled wooden starting blocks. With the crack of the starter’s pistol, George surged forward, breaking the world record for speed, making him the fastest human.
History would not be kind to George on this day, as his world record would not be recognized. Why? Starting blocks were a recent invention and were not at that time sanctioned by the World Track and Field governing authority.
Today starting blocks are a regular, expected, and approved part of Track and Field. They have two specific purposes: first, for the sprinter to brace their feet at the start of a race so they don’t slip as they take off, and second, the blocks enable the sprinter to adopt a more efficient starting posture and to preload their muscles, enabling a more powerful start and increase in overall sprint speed.
Starting Blocks for New Initiatives or Products
Launching new initiatives or products is difficult. Getting started quickly and efficiently can make the difference in a successful versus unsuccessful effort. Just as starting blocks put the sprinter in the right position with preloaded muscles, conducting a discovery or assessment of your current state helps preload the effort and helps you create an actionable plan.
Key Steps to Ensure a Stronger “or Truer” Start
Perhaps you have an idea of what you want to build, having some form of documented requirements and gathered artifacts, but you cannot get to a place of clarity to start the development. What you need is a solid starting point to guide you forward.
Here are three key steps you can take to establish a firm foundation and kickstart your development process: achieve clarity, gain insights, and formulate an actionable plan.
- Gather all your artifacts together – customer requests, customer pain statements, business challenges, etc. Conduct interviews with stakeholders, both internal and external, and thoroughly document technology systems and customer profiles. Map out the current journey your customers take to address their needs, emphasizing pain points along the way.
- Develop insights by analyzing all the gathered information and seeking input from experts where possible. Challenge conventional thinking, explore innovative ideas and examine industry best practices. Compile your findings into a straightforward insights report.
- Create an actionable plan framed within a product roadmap. This plan should encompass a product vision statement, outlining your overarching goals, along with the product strategy and development approach (such as agile sprints).
Additionally, prioritize tasks by creating a backlog focused on delivering a minimum viable product (MVP).
Just as a solid foundation and proper preparation aided George Simpson, establishing a clear starting point and diligently preparing your efforts will set you up for success. By following this simple yet effective process, you can expedite your digital Initiatives and ensure they stay on track. So, if you're looking to avoid a prolonged effort akin to a marathon, begin by leveraging these foundational steps—it will propel your development forward faster and with greater accuracy.
If you find your company is lacking the capacity, expertise or experience to navigate these steps internally, consider leveraging Experis' TrueStart Assessments. Our team utilizes our wealth of experience and expertise to guide you through the development process, delivering an actionable plan. This comprehensive plan includes a prioritized backlog, a detailed product roadmap, practical diagrams, and an insightful report tailored to your needs.
Contact Us for more information on Business Transformation
