Building a minimum viable product is like giving an idea a complete makeover, from the messy ideation stage to a polished post-release look. Keep reading to find out how an MVP transforms from a rough draft into a full-fledged product that not only solves problems but makes users say, “Take my money!”
Building a successful product isn’t about jumping in headfirst and hoping for the best, it’s about taking small, calculated steps. And that’s why knowing the ins and outs of the MVP development stages can be of help.
These stages are like your safety net, allowing you to refine your product before going full-scale, so you don’t make the kind of costly mistakes that’ll have you scrambling later. Imagine you’re a chef testing a new dish. You wouldn’t serve it to a full restaurant without first getting feedback from a few friends, right? You’d want to make sure it’s not too salty or missing key ingredients before the dinner rush hits.
In the same way, your MVP allows you to experiment, adjust, and refine based on real-world feedback, giving you the chance to perfect your product before it takes center stage. From ideation to post-release, each MVP stage is crucial. Skipping any stage could leave you unprepared, while properly executing each step increases your chances of success without major setbacks.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the MVP development timeline and review each stage to see exactly what goes into creating a product that’s ready for the big league👇
Key Stages of MVP Development
The journey of MVP development involves progressing through distinct stages, each bringing you closer to the ideal solution. Breaking down this process into manageable stages allows you to test, validate, and refine your product step by step.
While the timeline may vary depending on the product, market, and resources available, there are three primary stages you need to focus on to successfully bring your solution to life.
🟡 Pre-MVP Stage
Duration: ~ 1 month
This crucial phase is about validating your product idea, understanding the market, and assembling the right team to make it a reality. Typically, this stage lasts around a month or even longer, with the first few weeks focused on proof of concept followed by the discovery process.
During this time, teams dive into market research, studying the target audience, assessing competitors, and gathering valuable insights to ensure the idea has potential. Additionally, this phase involves defining clear project goals, identifying potential risks, and refining strategies. On the technical side, the team selects key features, prepares the technical stack, defines the project scope, and creates a roadmap for development.
On the design front, UX discovery takes place, followed by wireframing and prototyping to outline the user experience and interface. At the same time, the team works on budgeting, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively, and setting financial expectations for the project’s progression.
The objective is to ensure that the team is fully aligned and prepared to move forward with the MVP development in the most efficient and effective way possible.
🟡 MVP Creation Stage
Duration: ~ 3 months
This is the stage where the product starts to take form. The time required for this phase can vary from a few weeks to several months, based on the product’s complexity, design requirements, and any technical hurdles that may arise.
Key tasks during this stage include crafting the main features, writing the code, and conducting thorough testing to make sure the product is prepared for its debut. Continuous testing helps check the product performs as expected, is free of major issues, and delivers a smooth user experience. The intricacy of the project, like integrating complex algorithms or cutting-edge technology, can greatly affect the timeline and overall development process.
🟡 Post-MVP Stage
Duration: unlimited
After the MVP is released, the journey doesn’t end. This phase is dedicated to collecting feedback from users, making the required adjustments, and expanding the product based on market needs and customer expectations.
It’s a continuous process that allows the MVP to grow into a fully refined, fully developed product over time. By consistently iterating and enhancing the product, you ensure it becomes increasingly aligned with what your target audience truly wants and needs.
Remember, the minimum viable product process is like nurturing a plant. It needs time, attention, and regular care to thrive. If you’re curious about how to navigate each stage in the MVP development journey, take a moment to go through this article. It’ll nail down each stage from ideation to post-release, giving you the roadmap for building a successful product ⤵
