Key Takeaways
- An MVP validates your core hypothesis with minimum investment, typically 3-5 features in 8-12 weeks.
- The biggest MVP mistake is building too much: every extra feature delays learning and increases burn rate.
- Charge from day one. Free users provide feedback but do not validate willingness to pay, which is the critical unknown.
How to Define Your MVP Scope
Start by identifying the one core problem your product solves. Then define the minimum feature set that addresses that problem for a specific user segment. A good MVP framework:
- Identify your riskiest assumption: What must be true for your business to work? (Usually: will people pay for this?)
- Define your target user: Not everyone. Pick the most underserved segment who will tolerate an imperfect product.
- List features, then cut 50%: If it feels uncomfortably lean, you are probably close to the right scope.
- Set success criteria before building: Define what metrics will tell you the MVP succeeded or failed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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