MVP
UX Design
What is an MVP
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is a development strategy that focuses on creating a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback for future development. It represents the smallest thing you can build that delivers customer value.
Key Characteristics of MVPs
Essential elements include:
- Core Functionality: Only essential features that solve the main problem
- Learning Focus: Designed to test key business hypotheses
- Quick Release: Rapid deployment to gather user feedback
- Iterative Potential: Foundation for future improvements
When to develop an MVP
Create an MVP when validating new product ideas, entering new markets, or testing significant features. It's particularly valuable when you need to minimize risk and investment while maximizing learning about user needs.
Benefits of MVP approach
This strategy reduces development costs, speeds up time-to-market, and provides early validation of product concepts. It helps teams avoid building features users don't want and enables data-driven decision-making for future development.
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Use techniques like impact mapping, user story mapping, and the MoSCoW method (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have) to prioritize features based on user needs and business goals.
While a prototype is a test version that simulates product functionality, an MVP is a real, working product released to users. An MVP must provide actual value and be usable in real-world conditions.
Timeline varies by product complexity, but generally aim for 2-4 months. The key is to release quickly enough to gather meaningful feedback while ensuring the product is stable and useful.
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