MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

What is an MVP?

An MVP (minimum viable product) is the simplest version of a product, tool or service that real users can use and that delivers enough value to test the core idea. The term was popularised by Eric Ries in The Lean Startup. The aim is learning: release something small, see how people actually use it, then decide what to build next based on evidence instead of assumption.

Why it matters

Building a full product before anyone has used it is the most expensive way to find out you were wrong. An MVP lets a business test demand for a new client portal, booking tool or internal AI assistant for a fraction of the full cost, then invest further only in what proves useful. It also gets value into users' hands sooner, which builds momentum and internal support for the project.

What good looks like

• One core problem Solve a single, specific problem well and leave the nice-to-haves for later releases.
• Real users Put it in front of the actual people it is for, customers or staff, as early as possible.
• Defined success measure Decide in advance what usage or result would justify building more.
• Quality where it counts Keep scope minimal, but make what you ship reliable and secure.
• Planned next step Budget for iteration after launch, because the MVP is the start of the work.

What to do about it

Write the single problem your product idea solves in one sentence, and name who has it. Then list every feature you have imagined and cross out anything that is not essential to solving that problem for those people. Decide what result after four to six weeks of use would convince you to keep going. Brief the build on that short list, with time and budget held back for the second iteration.