Let’s start with what an MVP is not: It is not a prototype or a demo. It is not rudimentary or limited. But it is also not perfect.
Instead, it is the most simplified form of the product you ultimately want to release. You can think of it as a basic model with the least number of features possible for it to still be functional, useful, and otherwise what you need it to be.
An MVP is essentially a vehicle for getting feedback from prospective users. Based on this information, you will make critical decisions about how to best proceed in order to appeal to a wider user base. The vast majority of businesses—including major companies—in the product development sector make it part of their software development life cycle (SDLC). In many ways, it gives you direction for the rest of your process.
“Minimum” is literal in this case—an MVP is created with the least possible amount of effort, time, resources, and funding. At the same time, it must be representative of the actual product by solving the problem you are setting out to address. But it should still only have the basic features that are critical for your product.
How Long Does It Take To Develop an MVP for a Startup?
As with any phase in the SDLC, the time it takes to build an MVP varies according to a number of factors, such as:
- The features your ultimate product will have
- The skill sets and qualifications of the developers and team members
- The number of team members
- The complexity of the design and concept
That said, for the most part, you should expect your MVP to take between 3-4 months to build. If you predict that it will require significantly more time than that, consider whether you are overloading the product with too many features.
What Should an MVP Include?
By now, you know that an MVP should have the lowest number of features possible in order to be viable in the real world—enough to satisfy the needs of your early users and ensure it has potential. But what does that really mean? Of course, it means something different for each startup.
First, let’s discuss what goes into creating an MVP. You must conduct market research to assess the demand for products like users. You should also construct personas or user profiles, determining the characteristics that your target or idea users have. This will allow you to better understand their needs, behaviors, and what they will want in your product.
You should also conduct a competitive analysis to gain insight into the current existing products in your space. You must differentiate your products from others in your space, addressing needs and problems that have yet to be met. You should perform this research prior to launching your MVP, but bear in mind that you will continue to perform adjustments and improvements based on the information you gather. This is part of continuous improvement.
Additionally, your MVP, like any product you intend to release to a wider audience, should undergo a rigorous quality assurance (QA) process. Even though the product contains the minimum number of features and qualities to be viable, it shouldn’t be of low quality.
Now, let’s look at what the product should actually contain:
- Any basic functionalities
- An attractive, usable interface and design
- Basic content
- Data-gathering capabilities
Additionally, consider how the MVP aligns with your goals—your objectives for the project and your overarching business.
MVP Development Services for Startups: What We Do
An MVP is not a poorly constructed version of your final product. It should be an excellent product in its own right. At BairesDev, we put as much effort into creating this early version of your product as we do into iterations that are intended for ultimate release.
We will work closely with you to establish your requirements, hone the process, and create an MVP that will gather meaningful feedback and research to improve your concept toward the goal of building a product that will thrive.
We will tailor our services based on your unique needs and objectives. We will design your MVP depending on your objectives, creating a model that will enable you to collect meaningful user feedback. Once your MVP goes live, we will work with you to hone your product for final release.
Specifically, our process includes:
- Market research
- Requirements gathering
- Feature prioritization
- Analysis
- QA testing
- Support and maintenance
At BairesDev, we will guide you through every stage of the process, creating a functional version of your product that has all the critical features it needs prior to release.
Let’s Create Your MVP Today!
Ready to get started on your startup MVP development—and make your product a success? Let’s work together to bring your ideas to fruition. Find out how a partnership with BairesDev will help you reach your goals.
