Product

Facilitating Inception Workshops Facilitating Inception Workshops

Master the Art of Running Successful Inception Workshops.

Starting a software project is exciting. The team is in a buzz of work and ideas, but do you know why and what you are building this for?

The Inceptions book is a great start to understand how to master the art of the start, but some of us learn better when guided instead of reading a book.

This email course delivers bite sized content you can easily work through to keep you engaged and learn how to run an inception workshop.

Typical Challenges

Most software projects don't fail because of technical decissions or challenges. The failures we experiment in software products are mostly due to missalignment, failing to fit the market and communication issues. And yet, many just start a project blindly.

Some do big up front due dilligence and some do none at all. An inception workshop hits that sweet spot, where we do enough to truly understand the project, but not as much as to waste time and effort.

"Enrique has collated a great set of structured resources to help you successfully kick-off your project with a fun, low-barrier to entry approach. Get your team aligned and form a shared plan that can grow as you develop prototypes and learn more users needs."

Spencer Turner Consultant CPO / CDO, UX Design and Product Coach at Better Outcomes

Ambitions

Alignment on Vision & Goals

Through collaborative discussion, the team defines clear objectives and success criteria, ensuring everyone from leadership to individual contributors understands and commits to the same direction. This creates the foundation for all subsequent project activities and decisions.

Scope Definition

Draw clear boundaries around what the project will and won't deliver. The team identifies specific deliverables, timelines, and resources needed while explicitly stating what falls outside the project's remit. This clarity helps prevent scope creep, manage expectations, and ensure resources are allocated effectively. A well-defined scope acts as a north star for decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Stakeholder Buy-in

Focus on securing genuine commitment from key decision-makers and influencers who can impact the project's success. This involves actively engaging stakeholders to understand their concerns, priorities, and expectations, then addressing these upfront to build trust and support. When stakeholders feel heard and see their interests reflected in the project approach, they're more likely to provide the necessary support and resources throughout the project journey. Early buy-in prevents potential roadblocks and resistance later in the project.

Team Collaboration

Establish the foundation for how team members will work together effectively throughout the project. This includes defining clear roles and responsibilities, setting up communication channels and protocols, and agreeing on working methods and meeting cadence.

Risk Identification

Proactively spot potential obstacles and challenges before they become problems. Collectively identify technical, business, and organizational risks that could impact project success, and develop initial mitigation strategies for each.