Working backwards from the customer
summary
Describes a concrete process used at Amazon: write a mock press release as a one‑page spec with heading, summary, problem, solution, leadership quote, customer quote and call to action; expand it into epics, FAQs and low‑fidelity mock‑ups; capture constraints and iterate the living doc. Cites that AWS shipped 722 major features/services in 2015 as evidence this scales, and shows the method wins stakeholder buy‑in and clarifies scope before code is written.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (17)
- 0:00Intro
- 0:34Working backwards
- 0:59About Thomas
- 1:23The Chocolate Factory
- 2:47User Stories
- 4:14The Problem with User Stories
- 6:37How do we do it
- 9:04What excites Thomas
- 10:14Amazon Web Services
- 10:56Leadership Principles
- 12:42Customer Obsession
- 13:04Mock Press Release
- 13:36Press Releases
- 18:31Where to get started
- 19:02Tips about writing a press release
- 20:49How to share a press release
- 24:00The living document
related talks
38mWorking backwards: Amazon’s approach to innovation
29mThe Working Backwards method for startups
50m Drive change with Amazon’s culture of innovation
44mThe Amazon Software Development Process
43mThe Amazon Software Development Process
44mWorking Backwards
33mTransformation and agility: Key enablers of competitive advantage
48mEating an Elephant: Conquering big projects one bite at a time.