Analysis Paralysis is the Danger of Over-Analyzing and Under-Building

Analysis paralysis is a common trap for entrepreneurs. It is the state of over-analyzing or over-thinking a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome.

Entrepreneurs who fall into this trap spend endless hours refining their plans, talking to customers, and reading research reports. However, they never actually build anything. They are so afraid of making a mistake that they never take any action.

The problem with this approach is that most of the errors in a startup's plan cannot be detected at the whiteboard. They can only be detected by building a product and getting it in front of customers.

The Lean Startup methodology provides a way to avoid analysis paralysis. By focusing on the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop, startups can quickly and cheaply test their ideas. They can build a Minimum Viable Product, get it in front of customers, and learn from their feedback.

This approach allows startups to make progress without getting bogged down in endless analysis. It is a way to learn by doing, rather than by thinking.