What an MVP is not?
An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is often misunderstood, so it’s essential to clarify what it is not:
- An MVP is not a stripped-down version of a final product: Sometimes, people think an MVP is a basic product made quickly to save time or money. But that’s not true. While an MVP is simpler than the final product, it’s not just about cutting features. It’s about picking the most important features that solve a problem for users. An MVP should still give users a good experience, even if it doesn’t have all the fancy extras.
- An MVP is not just about cutting features: Some people think an MVP means taking away as many features as possible. But that’s not right. An MVP is about testing ideas and getting feedback from users. Instead of removing features randomly, we should focus on including the ones that help us learn about what users need. We decide what features to include based on research, not just what we think might work.
- An MVP is not a one-size-fits-all solution: Some people think an MVP is good for every situation, but that’s not true. While MVPs can be helpful in many cases, they’re not always the best choice. For example, if a product has safety concerns, it might not be safe to release a basic version to users. And in markets where customers already know what they want, an MVP might not be enough to stand out. We have to look at each situation carefully to decide if an MVP is the right approach. We consider things like market trends, what users want, and our business goals.
What Product Managers really need to know about MVPs?
In the realm of product management, it’s crucial to grasp essential concepts, and one of these is the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). But what exactly does it entail? An MVP represents the most basic version of a product that still provides value to users. Rather than including every possible feature, it focuses on the core functionalities needed to address a problem or fulfill a requirement. This approach enables teams to expedite product launches, obtain valuable user feedback, and refine the product based on real-world usage. In this article, we’ll explore the essence of MVPs, their significance, and how to effectively integrate them into the product development process.
Table of Content
- What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?
- What an MVP is not?
- Why do you need an MVP?
- When should you not do an MVP?
- So should we still use MVPs?
- Conclusion
- FAQs