TL;DR: an MVP is a version of a business model delivered with minimal resources. The ideal MVP might not exist, but its core function should be fulfilled.
The author has observed numerous startups that remain in stealth mode for months or even years, unable to reach a state of readiness.
Startupeers built their first prototype and venture in search of an investor
It should be acknowledged that a new business always carries a significant risk of failure, and it is crucial to minimize potential losses.
One obvious way to reduce the potential loss from a failed business is to minimize investment. In startup parlance, this concept is known as the Minimal Viable Product (MVP).
Simply put, the primary mission of an MVP, as defined by Silicon Valley gurus, is to determine and demonstrate that the startup’s proposed solution is necessary to some extent. It’s not imperative that someone is willing to pay for this solution. The main goal is to confirm that the problem the product aims to solve exists beyond the author’s imagination. If demand is confirmed, lean and agile development methodologies, accompanied by continuous customer development, come into play.
In our work, we embrace the concept of the MVP in its most radical form. If a landing page, a series of interviews, or business cards for a trade show suffice to test a hypothesis, we limit our investment to such elements. Once the hypothesis is confirmed, we then invest in process automation.
It’s important to understand that the MVP does not contradict perfectionism; rather, it can be seen as the ultimate feasible implementation of it.
Here’s a useful exercise: gather all stakeholders and challenge them to remove or simplify all functions. Ultimately, the result should be a focus on the main function that everyone must prioritize.
This website embodies that idea. It presents only the most necessary information and services. All other technical debt is stored in the backlog, awaiting either production or deletion as appropriate.