In a world where we can build faster than ever, the real challenge is knowing what to build.
The rise of generative AI has revolutionized the product development lifecycle. Tools powered by GenAI can now generate user interfaces, draft technical specifications, and even produce code at remarkable speed. But while the “how” of building has become faster and cheaper, the “what” and “why” have become even more crucial—and harder to align in large, complex organizations.
The Real Bottleneck: Alignment
With AI accelerating execution, the true bottleneck has shifted to alignment. Teams struggle not because they can’t build, but because they aren’t sure what they should be building. Without a shared understanding of the product vision, goals, and user needs, teams risk building fast—and in the wrong direction.
This is where Lean Inception comes in.
Lean Inception: Creating Clarity in Complexity
Lean Inception is a collaborative workshop designed to help cross-functional teams align on the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). It brings together stakeholders, product people, UX, tech, and business experts to co-create a clear, shared plan for product development.
The result? Teams leave the workshop with a deep, common understanding of:
- Who the product is for (personas)
- What user journeys matter most
- What features to prioritize
- What hypotheses to test
- What “viable” truly means for their MVP
This structured alignment allows teams to move faster with confidence—something AI tools alone can’t provide.
Fast Build Needs Smart Planning
AI is making “build fast” the new normal. But without Lean Inception—or similar alignment workshops—companies risk wasting this speed on misguided efforts. As Martin Fowler noted, the value of agile is not in skipping the planning phase, but in making that phase more collaborative, lean, and purposeful.
Lean Inception helps teams do just that: align fast, build smart.
Lean Inception in Large Organizations
For enterprises with multiple stakeholders and conflicting priorities, Lean Inception acts as a powerful tool to unify vision. In our latest State of Lean Inception Report , over 50% of workshops took place in organizations with more than 500 people—proving it scales well, even in complex environments.
Embrace the Future with Clarity
In the AI-powered future of product development, speed is no longer the problem. Clarity is. Lean Inception provides that clarity—aligning teams, surfacing the right decisions, and turning potential confusion into shared confidence.
At DBServices, we champion the Design & Build craft. But more than that, we help you get the most out of our valuable work by first deciding what to build! Because only with alignment and purpose can your team truly unlock the power of fast and effective delivery.
Don’t just build faster. Build smarter.
Paulo Caroli – Caroli.org
