Every new solution is born with the promise of solving a problem more efficiently, but in practice, it is the market that determines whether that promise holds true. The concept of MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, arises precisely to answer this question with the least possible risk.
The goal is to plan the development of a product without prior validation, which is one of the most costly mistakes a startup or entrepreneur can make.
Instead of investing money in a complete product full of features, the MVP proposes launching the simplest and leanest version capable of delivering the core value proposition of the idea. This way, you test whether it works “in the real world,” using minimal resources to gain maximum learning.
With that in mind, in this article we will present what a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is and how to create one. In addition to its importance in the product development process, we will discuss its characteristics and main advantages. Check it out!
What is Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?
The Minimum Viable Product is a development approach in which the most basic version of a product is created, containing only the essential features to solve a specific problem for the target audience and validate a business hypothesis.
It is widely used in Product Discovery and innovation processes to reduce uncertainty. Instead of building the entire product, the team launches a minimum functional version, sufficient to be used by real customers, generate value, and, above all, collect feedback.
This data guides decisions about evolution, feature prioritization, and even whether or not to continue with the idea. In practice, the MVP is not just any “prototype,” but a usable product that concentrates the essence of the proposed solution, allowing you to test:
- Whether there is real demand;
- Whether the problem is relevant enough;
- Whether the solution is understood and desired.r:
What is the importance of MVP?
The main role of the Minimum Viable Product is to validate hypotheses quickly and economically. Before committing to a large budget and months of development, the company must analyze whether:
- the product solves a real problem;
- the public is willing to use it (or pay for it);
- the positioning and value proposition make sense.
- Rapid testing in a real environment: product professionals can assess, in short cycles, whether the solution meets the needs of the end user.
- Early feedback: before the official launch, designers, PMs, and UX teams can adjust the product based on evidence, not just assumptions.
- Resource savings: the company avoids investing heavily in a product that may not catch on, reducing wasted time and budget.
- Continuous improvement: with insights from early users, the full version tends to be closer to actual market expectations.
In general, teams choose to launch an MVP when they want to get something to market as quickly as possible (time-to-market), test an idea with real users before investing in full development, or quickly learn what works and what doesn’t with the public.
How to create a Minimum Viable Product?
Creating a successful MVP requires a logical sequence of steps. Each step helps reduce uncertainty and ensure that the final product is truly aligned with market needs. Here are the main steps:
1. Have an innovative idea based on a real problem
Start by mapping out a genuine problem that deserves a solution. To do this, conduct market research, interviews with potential users, and competitive analysis to identify gaps and opportunities for differentiation.
The goal is to find a space in the market where your solution can offer something unique, whether in approach, efficiency, or experience. Without losing focus on the real needs of the target audience.
2. Define the value proposition and assumptions
Every MVP should be built on one or more hypotheses that you want to validate. Gather the product team to make it crystal clear:
- what core problem the product solves;
- what direct benefits it offers the user;
- why the user would seek out and adopt this solution.
These questions guide all subsequent decisions and serve as a compass to keep you on track.
3. Define the main features
With the hypothesis clear, it’s time to choose which features will be included in the Minimum Viable Product. The golden rule: only the essentials.
Avoid the temptation to add “bonus features” or “future possibilities.” The MVP should contain only the features that are indispensable for the user to validate whether the product solves the promising problem, aligned with the market needs and commercial objectives of your company.
4. Observe metrics and performance indicators
Before even launching the MVP, define the KPIs that will show whether the idea is viable:
- activation rate (how many users test the main functionality);
- initial satisfaction rate (NPS, CSAT);
- retention (how many return to use it again);
- payment intention (would they be willing to pay?);
- recurring use.
These metrics transform “impressions” into data, enabling objective decisions about whether to continue, adjust, or pivot.
5. Collect feedback
Once the MVP is in use, start a structured feedback collection process. Begin with a small, qualified group of users. A focused group generates more actionable insights.
Seek to understand:
- what worked;
- where there was confusion or difficulty;
- whether the perceived value matches the proposal;
- what adjustments would make the solution more useful.
6. Make improvements until the final version
With the feedback in hand, start iteration cycles. Each round should:
- Prioritize adjustments that impact the value proposition.
- Test changes with the same group or new users.
- Collect again.
- Refine.
This process is not linear and is repeated until the product is mature enough for a broad launch.
It is worth noting that during these iterations, you may discover that the original direction was not the best one. This is called pivoting, which means significantly changing the strategy, features, or target audience based on actual learnings.
What are the characteristics of a Minimum Viable Product?
In summary, the entrepreneur creates a version that carries the essence of the idea, with the minimum functionality necessary to observe market reaction, understanding of the proposal, and the level of customer acceptance and engagement.
In addition, certain traits define a well-constructed MVP:
- Focus on validation: the main goal is to test a hypothesis, not deliver a “perfect” product.
- Essential functionality: although simple, the MVP needs to solve the core problem it sets out to address. It is not an empty demo.
- Use of few resources: it should require as little effort, time, and money as possible, while maintaining the ability to generate real learning.
- Practical applicability: the product needs to be tested in a context similar to actual use, with users who represent the target audience.
What are the benefits of creating an MVP?
Adopting the MVP concept brings a number of benefits, both for startups and established companies. Taken together, these advantages make the Minimum Viable Product a powerful tool for innovating efficiently and safely.
- Cost reduction: by building only the essentials, you direct resources to what really matters in validation, without spending on features that may never be used.
- Agility in launch: putting a functional version on the market earlier allows you to test demand and start learning (and even billing) quickly.
- Validation with the real audience: market receptivity is evaluated with real users, not just in theoretical surveys.
- Adjustments based on feedback: with concrete data, you can refine the product incrementally before investing in a robust version.
- Risk reduction: because it is a simplified version, any failure has less financial and operational impact.
- Ease of pivoting: if the idea proves unviable, it is easier to change direction (pivot) without major losses.
- Focus on value proposition: concentrating efforts on essential functions helps ensure that the product truly delivers what the user needs most.
- Attracting investment: an MVP validated in the market makes it easier to convince investors, as it demonstrates traction and reduces the perception of risk.
Care when creating a minimum viable product
Building an MVP requires balance. Some points deserve special attention:
1. Have a well-defined value proposition
It is essential to know what the “heart” of your product is: what it delivers that is most important to the user. From there, prioritize only those features that directly contribute to solving the core problem.
2. Do not confuse simple with incomplete
An MVP should be simple, but it cannot be poorly made. If it does not perform minimally well, feedback will be about poor execution, not about the idea itself. This can distort perception and lead to wrong conclusions.
3. Launch to the right target audience
Testing with the wrong audience generates unhelpful feedback. Ensure that your early users truly represent who you want to reach in the future, both in context and in need.
4. Plan the tests well
Structure the launch: decide how many people will participate, for how long, which acquisition channels will be used, and how data will be collected. Controlled alpha and beta tests can help refine the solution before expanding its reach.
5. Define clear metrics
Define metrics that answer the key question: “Does this idea have a future?” Examples: recurring usage rate, engagement with core functionality, initial satisfaction, willingness to pay.
6. Be prepared to iterate
The MVP is, by definition, a learning tool. It is necessary to make room in the process for constant adjustments based on the information collected, and this includes letting go of ideas that have not proven effective.
7. Beware of perfectionism
Striving for perfection from the outset often delays launch and consumes resources without guaranteeing a return. The goal of MVP is to learn quickly, not to deliver the final version of the product.
How to use customer feedback?
Feedback is the fuel of MVP. To make the most of it:
- Organize the process: define which aspects will be evaluated (usability, perceived value, performance, etc.), who will participate in the tests, and how responses will be collected (surveys, interviews, use of analytics tools).
- Rank by relevance: not every comment deserves the same priority. Focus on observations that directly impact the value proposition and core functionality.
- Look for patterns: if several users point out the same issue, it is probably an important sign. Differentiate between specific criticisms and recurring trends.
- Group into categories: separating feedback into areas (design, functionality, content, support) facilitates prioritization and the definition of improvement plans.
Have you discovered what Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is?
The concept of MVP originated in the world of technology startups, but the logic behind it applies to virtually any type of project: digital businesses, services, physical products, and even personal initiatives.
We hope this article has helped you better understand the concept and how to create an effective MVP, increasing the chances of investing time and money only in ideas with real potential for return and positive impact for the customer.
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