The word MVP is often used to mean unfinished. A useful MVP is finished and narrow: it does one important job properly, so you can learn whether it matters.
Choose the one question
Every MVP should answer a specific question, such as whether customers will complete this task, or whether staff will use the new system instead of the old one.
If you cannot state the question, you are probably building a first version of everything.
What goes in and what waits
Include the core workflow end to end, the minimum of accounts and permissions, and the data that workflow needs.
- In: the primary task, from start to finish
- In: authentication and the roles the task requires
- In: basic monitoring, so problems are noticed
- Wait: secondary features, advanced reports and polish
Plan what comes next
An MVP is the first release, not the whole plan. Decide in advance what evidence would lead you to build more, change direction or stop.
This topic is part of our Web Application Development work.