MVP in Software Development: A Guide To Getting Started

The startup ecosystem is rich with stories of success. Take the likes of Perplexity AI and Gumroad for example, they are excellent instances of a successful business execution. Billions of dollars have been raised by startup founders in the last few years to build the next Uber or the next Facebook.

In 2022 alone, startups globally raised approximately 400 billion US dollars from willing investors. Despite the countless success stories mentioned, there is more failure than you may expect.

Approximately 90% of startups fail. That’s a significant failure rate.

This rate of failure is linked to products or services that may not necessarily meet a genuine market demand. 

Entrepreneurs often build solutions based on assumptions without validating whether there is a demand or not? This, in turn, leads to a disconnect between what they offer and what customers actually want. However, there is a stage that can save you from a big failure – building an MVP.

If you are an aspiring founder, this guide will walk you through developing an MVP in software development, significantly reducing your chances of failure. 

Before we get into details, let us learn what an MVP in software development is.

What is MVP in software development?

In business, the term MVP, or minimum viable product, refers to a basic version of a product that is created with only the essential features. The idea behind an MVP is to build something with minimal effort and resources, just enough to see how customers respond. By doing this, businesses can gather feedback from customers early on.

This helps them understand if the product has potential or if any changes are needed before  investing their time and energy further. 

Eric Ries popularised this concept in his book, The Lean Startup. He explains that it is “The version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.”

3 Key Elements of MVP In Software Development

Now that we know what an MVP means in software, it’s important to focus on the core components that define it. Here are the three key elements to consider:

• Minimum: The product should contain the most basic needs of the user. These are the core features that solve the problems of the user. Keeping only the minimal set of functions that makes it a viable product to the user. Other non-essential features can be included in later versions of the product. 
• Viable: Viable means that the product should be functional and usable. What is the point if users cannot use the product? While the features are limited, they should deliver value and usability to the user nonetheless. It should solve a need and work well in the hands of early adopters. 
• Product: The product should be something tangible. It shouldn’t be a concept or an idea. A product version is released to a set of users for testing and feedback. This allows the product developers to learn from users and make iterations to future versions.

How to Develop a Successful Software-Based MVP?

Many founders aim to create a simplified version of their product to test in the market, but it’s crucial to do it right. Even with a limited scope, an MVP should maintain quality in user experience, performance, and functionality. In this section, we explore how to develop a successful software-based MVP. 

1. Start with your vision

Why do you think there is a need for your product in the first place? Answering this question, first of all, gives you clarity. It determines whether you are onto something or wasting time and resources. Other questions include:

• What problem am I solving?
• How will it be helpful for the end user?
• How does my MVP fit into the overall product vision?

Once the pain points and problems along with the solutions have been taken care of, you can begin to think about developing your MVP. This sets the foundation for your future product. This foundational analysis ensures that your MVP is aligned with user preferences and market demands, setting the stage for a successful launch.

2. Research your market

Sometimes, your ideas may not fit market needs. So before you go all big and excited, ensure it fits your target audience’s needs. You can achieve this by conducting surveys. The more information you have about your idea, the higher your chances of success.

While products may directly compete with yours, this shouldn’t be overlooked. Researching these competitors lets you identify what works well for them and where they fall short. This understanding is key to making your product stand out. 

 3. Define your MVP’s Core Features

Do you remember what we said about the MVP in software development? Yes, the most basic version of a product you need to create. That’s the whole point of building an MVP. Build a product with only the most essential features. This makes this step important in your MVP development lifecycle and we will tell you why.

A report from Pendo states that 80% of features in a typical software product are rarely or never used. 

So, clearly defining your MVP’s core features is a must. Begin by listing all the features you might want to include. Then ask key questions. 

• Can this feature meet users’ needs?
• Is it technically feasible?
• Does it align with our business goals?
• Do competitors’ products have this feature?

From here on, you can prioritize features by using the MoSCoW method that is the Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have.

This method will help you to objectively evaluate and decide which potential features your MVP should have.

4. Design and Develop the MVP or Outsource Development

It’s time to build your MVP. You have two options for developing an MVP – in-house development or outsourcing. 

If you or your cofounder are technically sound, you can go ahead and build the MVP yourself in-house. The decision to develop it in-house will give you full control of the entire development process. However, if you have no strong tech leadl,  hiring the tech team would be wise. They could consist of a CTO, a developer, and a designer, which can be expensive. 

If you have a limited budget, another option you can consider is outsourcing. This strategy can be a financial-friendly way out for you. This model gives you access to skilled developers with expertise in the latest technologies. However, be cautious when choosing an outsourcing partner due to potential communication and cultural barriers, and challenges in managing development remotely.

5. Launch your MVP

You do not need to spend so much time building the MVP. It should take weeks, not months. Set a time limit. Develop the features within this time frame. If necessary, cut features to meet the deadline, but don’t extend the time limit. This is not your final product, this is an MVP. So build this prototype quickly.

First, build the prototype within the stipulated time limit, focusing on core features. Once the prototype is ready, test it thoroughly to identify and fix any issues and bugs. After testing, modify and improve the MVP based on feedback received from users to perfect it. The last thing to do is to launch the MVP into the market.

This approach ensures a swift development process, allowing you to test and improve your product based on real user feedback.

Requirements to Build a Successful MVP

Building a successful MVP requires a focused approach and careful planning. Here are some key requirements which you should consider:

• Clear Vision: Define the problem your software will solve and set specific, measurable goals. Understand the core purpose and target audience of your product.

• Market Research: Conduct a thorough market analysis to validate the demand for your product. Study competitors to identify gaps and opportunities in the market.

• Essential Features: Prioritize the features that address the core problem. Focus on delivering the most value with minimal functionality, ensuring the MVP is viable yet simple.

• Right Team: Assemble a skilled team of developers, designers, and testers who understand the project goals and are capable of delivering high-quality work.

• User-Centered Design: Develop an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Use wireframes and prototypes to test design concepts and gather initial feedback.

• Agile Methodology: Employ agile development practices to allow flexibility and iterative progress. This approach enables continuous improvement based on user feedback.

• Testing and Feedback: Conduct rigorous testing to ensure functionality and usability. Launch the MVP to a small group of users, collect feedback, and analyze data to identify areas for improvement.

• Iterative Improvement: Use the feedback to make necessary adjustments. Continuously refine and enhance the product to meet user needs and market demands.

Focusing on these requirements can guide you to build a successful MVP that effectively tests your idea and sets the foundation for future growth.

How ScaleupAlly Can Help You in Building MVPs?

ScaleupAlly is an experienced custom software development company that has been helping startups and small & medium sized businesses with technology solutions for over  a decade. Our services span from web and mobile app development to business intelligence, as well as dedicated talent outsourcing. We offer custom solutions to help your business scale and achieve excellence.

When you choose ScaleupAlly for an MVP in software development, you will expect the following benefits:

• Expertise in creating software for industries such as Logistics, Healthcare, Entertainment, and Education.
• Free consultations with experienced Business Analysts who understand your field.
• A detailed Discovery Stage to ensure your MVP aligns with technical needs.
• Flexible software development services, including custom solutions, maintenance, legacy system upgrades, IT consulting, and UI/UX design.
• A dependable technology partnership with certifications in software development and IT consulting.
• Quality oversight from our Project Management Office to guarantee timely and budget-conscious delivery.
• Innovative solutions using modern technology stacks for web (React, Angular, AWS, JS, TypeScript) and mobile (Flutter, Swift, Kotlin,).

MVP creation focuses on strategy and analysis rather than complex development. Key stages like concept building, selecting an MVP development company, testing, and prototyping are crucial for success. 

Book a free consultation with our MVP expert today!

Conclusion

No matter what you’re building—SaaS, enterprise software, or a startup product like Shopify or Airbnb—building an MVP is the basic step. It lets you test your idea with real users, get accurate results, and maintain quality in the development process.

The key is to create an MVP that performs essential tasks. This means developing a basic version of the final product that meets users’ needs and solves their problems. Release the MVP to real users, gather data, and make improvements.

If your MVP is well received, you’ve found a viable product idea. If it fails, it has still saved you from a bigger failure. Developing an MVP effectively always leads to valuable insights and potential success.