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Ship Early

Deliver young plant

A common regret from founders is that they spent too much time building the product before launching it to the public.

Product Evolution

Agile product development promotes a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — emphasis on MINIMUM! Many recommend to timebox their MVP so that they Ship Early and Engage with Customers. This enables customers to provide feedback, direction, and help you prioritize.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

An MVP is the most basic version of a product that can still be released. It includes only the core features necessary to solve a specific problem for early adopters. The goal is to validate the product idea with minimal resources and gather user feedback to iterate and improve.

Minimum Marketable Product (MMP)

An MMP is a step beyond the MVP. It includes enough features to be marketable and provide value to a broader audience. The MMP is ready for a larger market launch and aims to generate revenue while still being relatively simple.

Minimum Marketable Feature (MMF)

An MMF is a small, incremental feature that can be developed and released independently. Each MMF adds value to the product and can be marketed on its own. This approach allows for continuous improvement and frequent updates, keeping users engaged.

Minimum Lovable Product (MLP)

An MLP is designed to not only meet the minimum requirements but also to delight users. It focuses on creating an emotional connection with users by providing an exceptional user experience. The MLP aims to turn users into advocates who love the product.

Progression

These related concepts often follow a sequential evolution in product development:

  1. MVP: Start with the MVP to validate the core idea with minimal investment.
  2. MMP: Once the MVP is validated, develop it into an MMP to reach a broader market and start generating revenue.
  3. MMF: Continuously add MMFs to the MMP to enhance its value and keep users engaged.
  4. MLP: Aim to evolve the product into an MLP by focusing on user experience and delighting users.

By following this evolution, you can ensure that your product not only meets the basic requirements but also grows to become something that users love and advocate for.