Start Up Companies

I am reading a book by Guy Kawasaki called "The Art of The Start."  It is an excellent source to referred to if you are a start up or plan to start a venture.  I have been eager to get through the book but as I'm reading I'm performing the tasks that he asks us to do.  For instance, in the first chapter he explains how every venture must start with a creative idea. duh!!!!  Then he explains the MAT which is milestones, assumptions, and tasks that you must perform to be successful in your business as a start up. 

To do this just open up an excel spreadsheet and label the first column milestones, 2nd column assumptions, 3rd task, and 4th date that you plan to complete that task.  Then list your milestones:
Example:
Milestones
Prove your Concept
Complete Design Specifications
Finish a prototype
Raise Capital
Ship a Testable Version to Customers
Ship a Final Version to Customers
Achieve Break Even

Now in the next column list your assumptions that you have for your milestones, and then list the task that you have to accomplish to complete that milestone, followed by an estimated date that you think you will finish that milestone.  This is a list that you must follow until your start up is complete.  Anything that gets in your way may cause the whole project to fail so be very very careful when your putting this together. 

I will tell you my experience as soon as I get through it.  All this is new to me as well so if your a new entrepreneur as I am then we can do this together.  If not then you can learn from my mistakes or anyone else who may want to share with you as well on this post or anywhere on the web. 
Good Luck,
Christine Kampa