What is an MVP? NOT the first step of your startup

If the idea works, the resources and structures necessary for its development can be put in place. Easy, isn’t it? Not too easy since you have to go through several stages.

Fail fast, fail cheap

The fact that it is an iterative process involving repetition does not mean that we should just get right to it, no matter how much we like to get down to work. No. Before you create your MVP, you should know if your customers are going to want it. And to know that, you have to do some prior research.

These are the three steps to take before creating and launching your Minimum Viable Product (or service):

1. Understand the real problem you need to solve for your customers and inform yourself with information about the market. Trade shows and industry events are key because they will give you an idea of what people complain about or what they struggle with in their day-to-day lives.
2. Define the solution: find out what tasks need to be done to solve the problem through interviews that reveal what customers really need (not what they say they want).
3. Create an irresistible offer where potential customers can see the value that your product or service will bring them (as Steve Jobs said, ‘the customer doesn’t have to know what they want’).

With the data you start collecting from that moment on, you will be able to know if it is worth the effort to create a Minimum Viable Product…. or not. Consider this:

If the amazing product you’re offering doesn’t attract customers, do you think anyone will be interested in your MVP later on?

That’s why many experts recommend boostrapping when launching a startup: the technique can allow you to be sustainable (financially speaking) with your own resources and through your own customers (vs. early external funding). Here, the best tips are:

• Do not leave your job until it is strictly necessary.
• Don’t buy, rent.
• Do not scale up until you have a pressing need to do so.
• Focus on covering your hardware and hosting costs first and wait to hire.

Ultimately, the best way to validate a startup when you begin is to test your pricing and confirm that customers are actually willing to pay for your solution. 

Without these two basics, directly related to lean startup and boostrapping, you shouldn’t start your MVP… and without your MVP you shouldn’t build something that no one may want.

Steps to create an MVP

Luckily, testing will point out whether it’s a good idea to build your MVP or not. And if the tests say go ahead… that’s how you should create a Minimum Viable Product.

1. Define the Value Proposition. If you know what solutions your product or service offers and what it will bring to the public, testing will be efficient and realistic.
2. Choose the right audience. It must have the same characteristics as the target audience you expect for your project.
3. Determine the test time. If it is too short, the data you get may be insufficient. If it is too long, it could delay the launch of your product.
4. Test the public’s response. Here you will see whether or not the market approves of your solution; this is the most important step in the process. 
5. Interpret user responsiveness. Collect their feedback and evaluate whether or not the product is ready to be launched. Filter out the interesting comments and distinguish from the uninteresting ones, but, as recommended by Steve Blank in this TalkX, don’t forget to listen to those people who don’t see the need for your proposal or who find it flawed because they will give you valuable information about the improvements you need to make… or about the change of direction you need to make.
6. Modify the product or service. Apply the information to the design of the final product. 

Now, are you all set? Ask, listen and create your MVP!

Source: https://rockcontent.com/es/blog/producto-minimo-viable/