What Should an MVP Include?
Direct Answer
A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) should include only the features absolutely necessary to solve the target customer's primary problem. Any secondary tools or visual enhancements should be stripped out to minimize development costs and accelerate market validation.
Why do most MVPs fail due to feature bloat?#
When building new products, companies often add features based on internal assumptions. This delays the launch, inflates development budgets, and dilutes the product's value proposition.
An MVP is not a half-built product; it is a validation mechanism designed to test whether a market actually exists.
How do you scope an MVP using lean metrics?#
Scoping an MVP requires focus on the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP). Conduct problem interviews with target buyers before writing code to identify the single constraint standing in their way.
Keep the initial prototype limited to resolving that constraint, and build out subsequent features based on real user feedback.
- NPD Lab Venture Validation Guidelines
- The Lean Product Playbook, Wiley (2024)