MVP Hacks!
Safe-fail Experimentation
!
Maximise your validated learning for minimum investment!
Naresh Jain
naresh@agilefaqs.com
@nashjain
http://nareshjain.com
2
Src:	
  Jeff	
  Pa,on
3
Src:	
  Jeff	
  Pa,on
BML Cycle
Src:	
  Lean	
  Startup
MVP - Minimal Viable Product?
"Version of a new product which
allows a team to collect the maximum
amount of validated learning about
customers with the least effort." 	

The goal of an MVP is to test fundamental
business hypotheses (leap-of-faith assumptions)
and to help entrepreneurs begin the learning
process as quickly as possible.
6
7
h,p://vimeo.com/24749599
Ignite: Lean Startup - Paul Howe, Founder & CEO of NeedFeed
"How $40 Saved Us 9 Months and $2MM"
10
h,p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUG9qYTJMsI
DollarShaveClub.com - Our Blades Are F***ing Great
http://agilejobs.in
Commercial Break!
Copyright
© 2012,
Mumbai
Tech Talks!
Edventure Labs
Revolutionizing Brain Development
In advanced mental calculation competitions, 15 triple-digit numbers are displayed in 2 sec.
The participants can perform arithmetic operations on these numbers completely in their
head.
In advanced mental calculation competitions, 15 triple-digit numbers
are displayed in 2 seconds. The participants can perform arithmetic
operations on these numbers completely in their head.
Participants can also remember the
exact sequence of up to 20 numbers.
Kids can listen to 3 columns of numbers read out
and add up each column individually in parallel
Vision
✓ Every kid can calculate faster than a calculator. Kids don't
have to be born genius to do this.
✓ To empower a generation of kids who are not afraid of
numbers and who excel in Mathematics & Analytical skills
My kid learns at a different pace relative to other kids. I need a
customizable, adaptive learning solution suitable to my kid.
Parent's Value Hypothesis
Learning mental arithmetic at an early age, will help kid's
overall brain development ( fast mental calculation, improved
concentration & memory skills , enhanced reading & listening
skills, left & right brain development , better retention power,
enhanced visualization)
Learning is directly proportional to the feedback provided during
the learning process. Hence I want a very high teacher to student
ratio.
Parent's Value Hypothesis...
With all the distractions today, my kid has very low patience for
boring teaching techniques. Teaching technique has to be
activity based (interactive) & gamified to make it addictive.
I'm keen to compare & base-line my kid's thinking ability and
memory (.i.e. overall brain power) with other kids.
Its a pain to drop & pick-up kids from classes. Would prefer
something available at the comfort of my home.
Student's Value Hypothesis
I learn more when learning is fun. I want edutainment!
Watching videos or animations gets boring. I want to learn by actively doing things.
Don't assume I'm stupid and need to be spoon-fed.
Give me something challenging with intelligent guidance.
I'm curious and I like to figure out things on my own.
If I can't, give me hints and instant feedback, it helps me learn faster.
I want to learn new concepts in the context of solving real problems. It
helps me retain the knowledge better.
I enjoy helping other kids when they get stuck.
It helps me learn better and gain more confidence in myself.
Growth Hypothesis
Parents love to show-off their kid's newly acquired skills. During this
process they would recommend our product to other parents.
Schools encourage their students to excel in various extra-curricular
activities. They would promote our product to their students.
Online publishing and education companies would like to offer more
complementary Tech-Ed products/services to their customers. They would
find out product attractive and would partner with us to offer this product
as part of their service offering.
Tablets have become commodity business. Tablet manufactures
will be keen to bundle-up our app with their tablets.
Billions of Apps have been sold via the App stores. Its a great place
for users to discover and buy our product.
Our Journey
or should I say, our hacks!
Traditional abacus
✓ No pin-pointed feedback & delayed feedback cycles reducing the
quality & speed of learning
✓ Not self-paced, nor adaptive. All or nothing approach.
Our Hypothesis
✓ We believe that
✓ providing instant feedback to the kids will achieve a
better learning experience
✓ allowing kids to go at their own pace will be faster
and will achieve better satisfaction for the kids
Electronic Abacus - 3D Model
✓ Will kids really be able to use
this?
✓ Will we be able to really give
actionable feedback?
✓ Will this help?
1st MVP - iPad App
How do we teach the kid how to use
the Abacus?
Using Animation Video to Teach
How to keep the kids engaged?
Embedded Animation Video on iPad App
3 4 65 7 8 091 2
Topic
3 4 65 7 8 091 2
3 4 65 7 8 091 2
Topic - Practice
2 + 4 = ?
Right Answer
You’ve finished your
Practice session
Topic - Game
2
3
23
3 4 65 7 8 091 2
Topic - Game
Ready for a Test?
Do we really need the theory class?
Simulation & Self-Discovery Based Learning
44
h,ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu9MRXY2Qw
MVP to Test the effectiveness of using 	

Simulations or Inline Instructions to Teach Kids
How to make this viral?
Gamification & Sense of Purpose
Storyline-Sense of Purpose
Activity Based Learning
Dashboard
Different types of questions to
exercise different parts of the brain
Individual Question
Scoring and Feedback
The reward system is tied to duration
and consistency of practice
Coins earned during the
practice sessions can be
used to redeem food for
your pet character or for
other practice games.
We measure and track each student's thinking ability
and enhanced memory power
Practice via Challenges
@ end of each lesson
Peer-to-Peer
1
2
But the Market was not ready...
This is awesome!
But my kid is not a born geniusto learn this!
Is this global phenomenon?
I don’t want to be the only crazy mother...
Is this real? Feels like sci-fi. Tablet based solution? We don’t think the
market is ready. This is too futuristic. Can you give me this on a CD for
windows desktop?
56
h,p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oYGxd4Vk3o
Abacus Rush - Fun iPad game to learn Counting using Abacus
57
58
App vs. Platform
User Views Admin
User Interaction
Scoring Redeemin
P2PConstructivis
Reports
Adaptive Learning
Metrics Course Management
User Management
Analytics
Multi-Player
Educational Platform
Audio Animatio Persistenc Packing Deployme
Core Platform - Tablet Specific
Finally light at the end of the tunnel
Adaptive Learning Practice Platform
Edventure Labs Framework
Teacher Student
Curriculum mapped
with everyday class	
  
!
Learning Activities	
  
!
Embedded, Adaptive,
Continuous
Assessment through
games
Data	
  
base of
Student
Data	
  
!
!
Continuous
capture and
storing of
data
Cognitive
Model/Data
Analysis
Real	
  Xme	
  data	
  
capture	
  of	
  
student	
  
acXons,	
  
soluXons,	
  and	
  
exploraXons	
  
online
ConXnuous	
  data	
  
feedIntelligent	
  
feedback	
  to	
  system
Intelligent	
  
feedback	
  to	
  
student
Data	
  on	
  Student	
  
Progress
Adap.ve	
  Learning
For	
  each	
  ques.on	
  we	
  capture	
  the	
  following	
  data,	
  which	
  helps	
  us	
  refine	
  our	
  content	
  
and	
  also	
  provide	
  detailed,	
  pinpointed	
  feedback	
  to	
  the	
  student.	
  
!
• Loca.on	
  (la.tude,	
  longitude)	
  
• Address	
  (reverse	
  geo-­‐coding	
  of	
  the	
  loca.on)	
  
• Adap.ve	
  status	
  
• Ac.vated	
  .me	
  
• Ra.ng	
  (step	
  ra.ng,	
  .me	
  ra.ng)	
  
• Number	
  of	
  touch	
  interac.on	
  
• Number	
  of	
  retries	
  
• Number	
  of	
  .mes	
  hint	
  used	
  
• Result	
  Status	
  (op.mal,	
  subop.mal,	
  wrong)	
  
• Start	
  .me	
  
• End	
  .me	
  
• Wrong	
  answer	
  count
Data Capture & Analysis
Teacher/Parent Reports
!
• Time	
  spent	
  on	
  each	
  
ques.on	
  
• Exact	
  mistakes	
  made	
  
• Number	
  of	
  .mes	
  a	
  same	
  
mistake	
  was	
  made	
  
• Over-­‐all	
  prac.ce	
  .me	
  
• Ranking	
  
• Percentage	
  
• Over	
  all	
  class	
  
performance	
  
• Class	
  performance	
  in	
  a	
  
par.cular	
  concept
Vision Strategy
Achieved	

Via
Hypothesis
Based On
Safe-Fail	

Experiments
Safe-Fail	

Experiments
Safe-Fail	

Experiments
Validated	

Via Validate
d	

Validate
d	

Validate
d	

To	

Obtain
Tweak	

Improve
Moral of the Story!
Vision-Strategy-Product Pyramid
Pivot
Refine/Optimize
Golden Circle (Simon Simonek)
HOWWHY
HOW
WHAT
Vision
Strategy
Product
RarelyChanges
Naresh Jain
naresh@agilefaqs.com
@nashjain
http://nareshjain.com
Thank you! Questions?

MVP Hacks

  • 1.
    MVP Hacks! Safe-fail Experimentation ! Maximiseyour validated learning for minimum investment! Naresh Jain naresh@agilefaqs.com @nashjain http://nareshjain.com
  • 2.
  • 3.
  • 4.
  • 5.
    MVP - MinimalViable Product? "Version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort." The goal of an MVP is to test fundamental business hypotheses (leap-of-faith assumptions) and to help entrepreneurs begin the learning process as quickly as possible.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    7 h,p://vimeo.com/24749599 Ignite: Lean Startup- Paul Howe, Founder & CEO of NeedFeed "How $40 Saved Us 9 Months and $2MM"
  • 10.
  • 12.
  • 13.
  • 14.
  • 15.
  • 19.
  • 22.
  • 23.
    In advanced mentalcalculation competitions, 15 triple-digit numbers are displayed in 2 sec. The participants can perform arithmetic operations on these numbers completely in their head. In advanced mental calculation competitions, 15 triple-digit numbers are displayed in 2 seconds. The participants can perform arithmetic operations on these numbers completely in their head.
  • 24.
    Participants can alsoremember the exact sequence of up to 20 numbers.
  • 25.
    Kids can listento 3 columns of numbers read out and add up each column individually in parallel
  • 26.
    Vision ✓ Every kidcan calculate faster than a calculator. Kids don't have to be born genius to do this. ✓ To empower a generation of kids who are not afraid of numbers and who excel in Mathematics & Analytical skills
  • 27.
    My kid learnsat a different pace relative to other kids. I need a customizable, adaptive learning solution suitable to my kid. Parent's Value Hypothesis Learning mental arithmetic at an early age, will help kid's overall brain development ( fast mental calculation, improved concentration & memory skills , enhanced reading & listening skills, left & right brain development , better retention power, enhanced visualization) Learning is directly proportional to the feedback provided during the learning process. Hence I want a very high teacher to student ratio.
  • 28.
    Parent's Value Hypothesis... Withall the distractions today, my kid has very low patience for boring teaching techniques. Teaching technique has to be activity based (interactive) & gamified to make it addictive. I'm keen to compare & base-line my kid's thinking ability and memory (.i.e. overall brain power) with other kids. Its a pain to drop & pick-up kids from classes. Would prefer something available at the comfort of my home.
  • 29.
    Student's Value Hypothesis Ilearn more when learning is fun. I want edutainment! Watching videos or animations gets boring. I want to learn by actively doing things. Don't assume I'm stupid and need to be spoon-fed. Give me something challenging with intelligent guidance. I'm curious and I like to figure out things on my own. If I can't, give me hints and instant feedback, it helps me learn faster. I want to learn new concepts in the context of solving real problems. It helps me retain the knowledge better. I enjoy helping other kids when they get stuck. It helps me learn better and gain more confidence in myself.
  • 30.
    Growth Hypothesis Parents loveto show-off their kid's newly acquired skills. During this process they would recommend our product to other parents. Schools encourage their students to excel in various extra-curricular activities. They would promote our product to their students. Online publishing and education companies would like to offer more complementary Tech-Ed products/services to their customers. They would find out product attractive and would partner with us to offer this product as part of their service offering. Tablets have become commodity business. Tablet manufactures will be keen to bundle-up our app with their tablets. Billions of Apps have been sold via the App stores. Its a great place for users to discover and buy our product.
  • 31.
    Our Journey or shouldI say, our hacks!
  • 32.
    Traditional abacus ✓ Nopin-pointed feedback & delayed feedback cycles reducing the quality & speed of learning ✓ Not self-paced, nor adaptive. All or nothing approach.
  • 33.
    Our Hypothesis ✓ Webelieve that ✓ providing instant feedback to the kids will achieve a better learning experience ✓ allowing kids to go at their own pace will be faster and will achieve better satisfaction for the kids
  • 34.
    Electronic Abacus -3D Model ✓ Will kids really be able to use this? ✓ Will we be able to really give actionable feedback? ✓ Will this help?
  • 35.
    1st MVP -iPad App
  • 36.
    How do weteach the kid how to use the Abacus? Using Animation Video to Teach
  • 37.
    How to keepthe kids engaged? Embedded Animation Video on iPad App
  • 39.
    3 4 657 8 091 2 Topic
  • 40.
    3 4 657 8 091 2 3 4 65 7 8 091 2 Topic - Practice 2 + 4 = ? Right Answer You’ve finished your Practice session
  • 41.
  • 42.
    3 4 657 8 091 2 Topic - Game Ready for a Test?
  • 43.
    Do we reallyneed the theory class? Simulation & Self-Discovery Based Learning
  • 44.
    44 h,ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu9MRXY2Qw MVP to Testthe effectiveness of using Simulations or Inline Instructions to Teach Kids
  • 45.
    How to makethis viral? Gamification & Sense of Purpose
  • 46.
  • 47.
  • 48.
  • 49.
    Different types ofquestions to exercise different parts of the brain
  • 50.
  • 51.
    The reward systemis tied to duration and consistency of practice Coins earned during the practice sessions can be used to redeem food for your pet character or for other practice games.
  • 52.
    We measure andtrack each student's thinking ability and enhanced memory power
  • 53.
    Practice via Challenges @end of each lesson
  • 54.
  • 55.
    But the Marketwas not ready... This is awesome! But my kid is not a born geniusto learn this! Is this global phenomenon? I don’t want to be the only crazy mother... Is this real? Feels like sci-fi. Tablet based solution? We don’t think the market is ready. This is too futuristic. Can you give me this on a CD for windows desktop?
  • 56.
    56 h,p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oYGxd4Vk3o Abacus Rush -Fun iPad game to learn Counting using Abacus
  • 57.
  • 58.
  • 59.
    App vs. Platform UserViews Admin User Interaction Scoring Redeemin P2PConstructivis Reports Adaptive Learning Metrics Course Management User Management Analytics Multi-Player Educational Platform Audio Animatio Persistenc Packing Deployme Core Platform - Tablet Specific
  • 60.
    Finally light atthe end of the tunnel Adaptive Learning Practice Platform
  • 61.
    Edventure Labs Framework TeacherStudent Curriculum mapped with everyday class   ! Learning Activities   ! Embedded, Adaptive, Continuous Assessment through games Data   base of Student Data   ! ! Continuous capture and storing of data Cognitive Model/Data Analysis Real  Xme  data   capture  of   student   acXons,   soluXons,  and   exploraXons   online ConXnuous  data   feedIntelligent   feedback  to  system Intelligent   feedback  to   student Data  on  Student   Progress Adap.ve  Learning
  • 62.
    For  each  ques.on  we  capture  the  following  data,  which  helps  us  refine  our  content   and  also  provide  detailed,  pinpointed  feedback  to  the  student.   ! • Loca.on  (la.tude,  longitude)   • Address  (reverse  geo-­‐coding  of  the  loca.on)   • Adap.ve  status   • Ac.vated  .me   • Ra.ng  (step  ra.ng,  .me  ra.ng)   • Number  of  touch  interac.on   • Number  of  retries   • Number  of  .mes  hint  used   • Result  Status  (op.mal,  subop.mal,  wrong)   • Start  .me   • End  .me   • Wrong  answer  count Data Capture & Analysis
  • 63.
    Teacher/Parent Reports ! • Time  spent  on  each   ques.on   • Exact  mistakes  made   • Number  of  .mes  a  same   mistake  was  made   • Over-­‐all  prac.ce  .me   • Ranking   • Percentage   • Over  all  class   performance   • Class  performance  in  a   par.cular  concept
  • 64.
  • 65.
    Vision-Strategy-Product Pyramid Pivot Refine/Optimize Golden Circle(Simon Simonek) HOWWHY HOW WHAT Vision Strategy Product RarelyChanges
  • 67.