MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
A product version with enough features to gather validated learning from early users.
Definition
A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the simplest version of a product that can be released to test key hypotheses with real users. MVPs prioritize learning over features—what's the minimum needed to validate whether the core concept works and customers want it?
MVPs reduce the risk of building unwanted products by getting real feedback quickly. They're not about shipping poor quality—they're about identifying what matters most and validating it before investing in less critical features.
Why It Matters
MVP thinking prevents wasted investment in features users don't value. By testing core assumptions early, teams can pivot or proceed with confidence rather than gambling on untested ideas.
Understanding MVPs helps stakeholders accept initially limited releases while appreciating the learning they enable.
Examples in Practice
A startup's MVP validates customer willingness to pay before building planned features, saving months of unnecessary development.
An MVP's user feedback reveals the initially planned feature set was wrong—the pivot produces a successful product the original plan wouldn't have.
A corporate innovation team uses MVP methodology to test ideas quickly, killing losers fast and scaling winners.