Glossary
What is a minimum viable product (MVP)?
A minimum viable product (MVP) is the simplest version of a product that lets a team test its main assumption with real users and learn, with the least effort. Eric Ries popularised the term in The Lean Startup. An MVP is about learning, not about shipping something unfinished to everyone.
Types of MVP
- Landing page MVP: describe the product and measure sign-ups.
- Concierge MVP: do the work by hand for the first customers.
- Wizard of Oz: looks automated, done manually behind the scenes.
- Single-feature product: one core job, done well.
MVP and launches
An MVP is right for a soft launch, beta or a small community. A big public launch, on Product Hunt for example, works better once a new user can get value without help, because first impressions are public and hard to redo.
Example
Before building a directory submission tool, a founder submits ten friends' products by hand (a concierge MVP), learns which directories and steps take longest, and builds automation for those first.
FAQ
How minimal should an MVP be?
Just enough to test the main assumption with real users.
Is an MVP a prototype?
Not exactly. A prototype shows an idea; an MVP is used by real users to learn.
Should I launch an MVP on Product Hunt?
Only if new users can get real value from it.
What's the difference between an MVP and a beta?
An MVP tests an assumption; a beta is a near-complete product released for feedback.
How long should building an MVP take?
Weeks, not months, for most software ideas.