Quick Summary
MVP is the most basic version of a product that can be released to early adopters to validate assumptions, learn from user feedback, and iteratively improve before full-scale development.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a development technique in which a new product or website is developed with sufficient features to satisfy early adopters. The final, complete set of features is only designed and developed after considering feedback from the product initial users.
Purpose of MVP
- Validate Assumptions: Test if the problem is worth solving
- Learn from Users: Gather real feedback before heavy investment
- Reduce Waste: Avoid building features nobody wants
- Speed to Market: Launch quickly and iterate
- Conserve Resources: Minimize initial development cost
MVP vs Prototype vs Proof of Concept
| Type | Purpose | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of Concept (PoC) | Test technical feasibility | Very early |
| Prototype | Visualize and test design | Early |
| MVP | Test with real users in market | Launch ready |
| MMP | Minimum Marketable Product | Post-MVP |
Famous MVP Examples
- Dropbox: Started with a simple explainer video before building the product
- Airbnb: Started by renting out their own apartment with a basic website
- Zappos: Founder photographed shoes at local stores to test demand
- Buffer: Landing page with pricing to gauge interest before building
- Amazon: Started as a simple online bookstore
How to Build an MVP
- Identify Core Problem: What is the one problem you are solving?
- Define Target Users: Who are your early adopters?
- List Features: Brainstorm all possible features
- Prioritize: Use MoSCoW method (Must, Should, Could, Won't)
- Build Must-Haves: Only essential features for launch
- Launch & Learn: Release to early adopters and gather feedback
- Iterate: Improve based on real user feedback
Common MVP Mistakes
- Feature Creep: Adding too many features - not "minimum"
- Poor Quality: MVP should be viable, not buggy or unusable
- No Feedback Loop: Not collecting and acting on user feedback
- Wrong Audience: Targeting everyone instead of early adopters
- Perfectionism: Delaying launch to add "just one more feature"
Key Points
- Minimum features to test with real users
- Purpose is learning, not perfection
- Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop
- Validates problem-solution fit
- Reduces waste and development risk
- Foundation for iterative development