MVP Scoping

What MVP Actually Means

Not the worst possible version. The smallest version that proves the core hypothesis.

Scoping Framework

1. What's the hypothesis? 'Users will [behavior] because [reason]'
2. What's the minimum to test it? Strip to the core value proposition
3. What can be manual? Automate later, validate first (Wizard of Oz)
4. What can be borrowed? Use existing tools/services, don't build infrastructure
5. What can wait? Settings, admin, edge cases, polish

Feature Triage

CORE: Without this, the hypothesis can't be tested
  → Build it

SUPPORTING: Makes the core better but isn't essential
  → Build only if fast (<2 days)

NICE: Users might want it eventually
  → Cut it. Add after validation.

PREMATURE: Scaling, admin, optimization
  → Definitely cut it.

Launch Criteria

• Core user flow works end-to-end
• Critical errors handled gracefully
• Performance is acceptable (not optimized, acceptable)
• One complete use case is satisfying
• Measurement is in place (can you tell if it's working?)

Post-MVP

• Watch what users actually do (not what they said they'd do)
• Measure the hypothesis metric
• Iterate based on evidence, not feature requests