A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a version of a product with just enough features to satisfy early adopters and gather validated learning about customer needs. It's not a half-baked product. It's a strategic approach to building products efficiently.
The MVP Philosophy
The idea comes from Lean Startup methodology: instead of spending months building a full product that might not meet market needs, build the smallest thing that tests your core assumptions.
Traditional approach: Build everything → Launch → Hope customers want it
MVP approach: Build core feature → Launch → Learn → Iterate
What an MVP Is NOT
- A prototype (which isn't functional)
- A half-finished product
- A buggy product
- A product with no value
An MVP should be viable. It must actually solve a problem for real users.
Benefits of the MVP Approach
Faster Time to Market
Get a product in users' hands quickly.
Reduced Risk
Test assumptions before major investment.
Real User Feedback
Learn from actual usage, not hypothetical opinions.
Efficient Resources
Don't build features nobody wants.
Flexibility
Easier to pivot when you haven't built everything.
How to Build an MVP
1. Identify the Problem
What specific problem are you solving?
2. Define Core Value
What's the one thing your product must do?
3. List Features
Everything you could include.
4. Prioritize Ruthlessly
What's essential vs. nice-to-have?
5. Build the Minimum
Only what's needed to test the hypothesis.
6. Launch and Learn
Measure usage, gather feedback, iterate.
MVP Examples
Dropbox: Started with a video demonstrating the concept, gauging interest before building.
Airbnb: Founders rented out their own apartment to validate demand.
Zappos: Founder photographed shoes at stores and bought them after orders came in.
When MVP Doesn't Work
- Safety-critical products
- Highly regulated industries
- When "minimum" would damage the brand
- When competitors have feature parity expectations