MVP is designed to test software ideas in action. Still, it should be quality and packaged enough to get users’ attention. And if it covers user needs in the easiest and most effective way, MVP can develop into a marketable fully-featured platform.
MVP development has a number of risks including product, customer and market risks. If you have faced a failure caused by these risks you have probably dismissed one of the important components – “minimum”, “viable” or “product”.
What things do you need to consider if your MVP failed?
- Revise project goals
MVP types are distinguished by the goal: marketing, performance or functionality. Marketing type is designed to test the market and audience. If you focus on performance, your main goal is to test UI and UX design and understand its effectiveness. Functional MVP is made to check whether the prioritization of the features is right and does your product solve the initial problem. Remember that MVP should help your customers to achieve their goals using your product. - Review project requirements
When you understand the true purpose of your MVP, review the requirements for your project development. Prioritize product features dividing them into several groups. The first one is the functionality that must be implemented as it is crucial in serving initial needs. The second group of features includes the functionality that is important for your app to work properly. Then “could” and “would” functions come. This set of features is cool, but not necessary for viability. It may not be probably included but can make your product more user-friendly. This approach simplifies the selection of features and can help you to avoid overbuilding. - Add prototype stage
Adding a prototyping stage to your MVP development process will work good for your product and can increase the chances of its further development. Prototyping can help you to optimize your resources including money and time, clarify the requirements and improve communication with stakeholders. - Reconsider pricing
MVP is not intended to bring you revenue, so the quality and functionality of your product should be consistent with its price. Remember to consider alternatives in marketplaces to understand how worth is your product. In case of MVP, the best solution will be a free app with advertising supported. - Make detailed customer research
Failure of your idea may be caused by insufficient audience research. It means that you have made an unnecessary product for a too wide audience or have chosen the wrong group of users to focus. You can narrow a range of early customers by running a survey where all important aspects of user-centered development will be taken into account. This way you will understand your target audience and make a product meeting the needs of your business and your users. - Rebuilt development team
Lack of experience is a frequent cause of MVP failure. Sometimes you can find out that your team needs specific talents for the development of the required product. Determine core programming languages for your project and find specialists with a relevant technical background. They will find an appropriate development approach for MVP development and make it quality.
Failure of your MVP doesn’t mean that your project has no future. Remember that the main MVP purpose is testing the idea. So, use the failure of MVP as a learning tool to understand what can be done differently. If you want to make a quality MVP from scratch, Exposit engineers are always ready to help.
