First I-CORPS Lean Startup – Mission Acceleration course offered to Marines

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kelcey Seymour | U.S. Marines take part in I-CORPS Lean Startup – Mission Acceleration course offered at the Center for Adaptive Warfighting on Camp Johnson, North Carolina, Sep. 17, 2019. Lean Startup – Mission Acceleration is a two day course where officers and senior Marines are taught how to identify a problem and they develop question and solutions about how to fix them. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Lance Cpl. Kelcey Seymour)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

09.19.2019

Story by Lance Cpl. Kelcey Seymour 

2nd Marine Logistics Group

CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina – How do you know if the problem you have identified is really the problem that needs fixed first?

The Center for Adaptive Warfighting is offering a course to help leaders identify the differences between the problems they think they have versus the underlying problems. More than 25 Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force recently completed the first Lean Startup – Mission Acceleration course offered at the Center for Adaptive Warfighting on Camp Johnson, North Carolina, September 16-17.

“Lean Startup is the industry standard framework for teams operating in environments even when the problem sets are undefined,” said Gunnery Sgt. Brandon Smart, chief evangelist, for NavalX on the Center for Adaptive Warfighting. “It provides reliable doctrine for identifying problems and users, designing paths forward, ensuring value and planning in the face of near-complete uncertainty and volatility.”

“Adapt and overcome,” as the adage goes is a Marine’s fundamental way of thinking. What problem is presenting itself and what can be done to fix it? Lean Startup builds on that thinking by helping the Marine learn how to not only get feedback on the problem but to understand what problem to tackle first.

“The end state of this class is being able to define the problem and then figuring out how to fix it,” said Patrick Buhr, assistant academic officer for Ground Supply School on Camp Johnson, North Carolina. “For this to properly work you need to understand that you need to stay flexible and adaptive.”

Students can expect a mix of lectures, presentations and exercises. One of the challenging exercises was to interview Marines around the base and learn some problems that they have identified in their corner of the Marine Corps.

“This class is about mission acceleration,” said Erin Bugg, I-CORPS Co-lead and instructor. “So how can the people in the room take these ideas and concepts and apply them locally? It’s a two-day, fast-paced class.”
The course’s mantra is telling students that problem solving is a loop of never ending identification, questioning methods, and learning. How does someone know if the solution being used is actually working on solving the problem? They get feedback. If the method or solution is not working, adjust the method and try again. When a solution is found, take what was learned in the failed attempts, and use that knowledge for future problems. Though this process is agreed on, Lean Startup tightens the feedback loop so that a greater number of iterations can be accomplished and pivots can be made towards a better, more applicable and functional solutions.

This class does not teach new concepts. Instead they build and refine the skills Marines already possess. This helps leaders find the root problem and navigate the different solutions available before implementing the best one. Lean Startup – Mission Acceleration is one of three progressive and agile courses offered at the Center for Adaptive Warfighting. To learn more, contact GySgt Brandon Smart, [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 09.19.2019
• Date Posted: 10.16.2019 11:49
• Story ID: 343573
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US