When building a new app, it can be tempting to dive in with every feature your team can imagine.
But in app development, a more efficient approach can lead to better results: the Minimum Viable Product, or MVP.
An MVP app is a simplified version of your app that includes only the essential features needed to solve your users’ core problem.
Think of an MVP app as both Minimum and Viable:
- Minimum because it focuses on only the most important features.
- Viable because it still has to deliver real value to your users, addressing a key problem that proves the app’s purpose.
The goal of an MVP is to get your app into the hands of users as quickly as possible so you can collect real feedback and avoid over-investing too soon.
This lean approach saves time, helps prevent costly missteps and ensures your app aligns with what the market actually needs.
In this article, I’ll break down exactly what an MVP app is, how it differs from traditional development and why starting with an MVP is a smart move if you’re looking to build a strong foundation for future growth.
What Makes an MVP App “Minimum” and “Viable”?
To understand why starting with an MVP app is so effective, let’s look at what makes it Minimum and Viable.
Creating an MVP isn’t about launching something half-baked or incomplete. Instead, it’s about building an app that’s lean but still fully functional – delivering real value with only the essentials.
Here’s what I mean by each part:
- Minimum: Focus on Core Features Only
In the MVP, “Minimum” means focusing on the absolute must-have features that make your app usable and valuable. It’s not about cutting corners but about narrowing down to the functions that are essential for solving your users’ main problem. I like to think of it as starting with a solid foundation – building just enough to provide value and give users a reason to engage with it.
- Viable: Delivering Value to Users from the Start
The “Viable” part ensures the app provides enough functionality to satisfy early users. This isn’t a prototype or a placeholder – it’s about giving users something genuinely useful. Even if your MVP doesn’t have all the features you might envision for the future, it should still address a specific problem or need effectively.
Real-World Example: The Evolution of the Sleep Number Bed
One example I find helpful is the Sleep Number bed. The original version of this bed solved a straightforward but significant problem: partners often need different mattress firmness.
The MVP version of the Sleep Number bed (known as the c2 model) allowed each person to adjust their side of the bed’s firmness, fulfilling its core purpose.
Over time, they added features like SleepIQ technology for tracking sleep patterns and a DualTemp layer for temperature control. But the MVP version, with just the adjustable firmness feature, was enough to launch, meet users’ needs and prove there was demand.
An MVP app works in much the same way: it’s designed to do one or two things exceptionally well, with room to grow as you learn from users and respond to feedback.
Why Start with an MVP App?
If you’re wondering why you’d choose to launch with an MVP, it’s because the benefits are compelling.
When you focus on building an MVP, you’re not just saving time and money – you’re also laying the groundwork for a product that’s more likely to succeed in the long run.
Here are a few of the key advantages of the MVP approach:
1. Faster Time to Market
With an MVP, you’re developing only the core features your app needs to function and provide real value. This lets you move quickly from concept to launch, so your app reaches users sooner.
Being first can make a big difference, allowing you to gain early users and start gathering insights right away.
2. Reduced Risk and Cost
One of the biggest risks in app development is building a product loaded with features that users don’t end up needing or wanting. The MVP approach helps you avoid this trap by keeping initial development lean.
By investing only in essential features, you limit upfront costs and reduce the risk of overcommitting resources before you know your app’s true market potential.
3. Real-World Feedback from Users
When you launch with an MVP, you’re putting your app in users’ hands early on. This allows you to gather valuable feedback from real users who can tell you what they like, what’s missing and what might not be working as expected.
Instead of relying on guesses or assumptions, you’re building with direct input from the people who matter most.
4. Flexibility for Iteration and Growth
With an MVP, you have the flexibility to adapt and evolve your app based on what you learn post-launch. You can improve, add new features and adjust your roadmap in response to user feedback.
This iterative process lets you build a stronger app over time that aligns closely with user needs and market trends.
In short, starting with an MVP gives you a clearer path to building something meaningful without the heavy upfront commitment. This approach not only speeds up your timeline and reduces risk, but it also gives you the insights you need to create a product that truly meets your users’ needs.
Traditional Development vs. MVP Approach
For years, the traditional approach to app development was more like a “big reveal” process. You’d spend months – sometimes years – planning and building every possible feature, investing significant time and resources before releasing the product.
This model, often called the Waterfall Method, flows in a linear fashion: you brainstorm every feature up front, then move through stages like planning, design, and development, with the hope that, in the end, it all comes together.
But here’s the problem with that approach: it’s risky, costly and often slow.
By the time a “finished” product reaches users, months (or years) have passed. What if users don’t need half of the features you’ve built? What if expectations or market conditions have changed?
The traditional model leaves little room for adjustments along the way, which can lead to a lot of wasted effort and resources.
The MVP Approach: Iterative, Agile and Lean
An MVP is counter to this traditional model. Instead of trying to predict every feature users might want, an MVP allows you to focus on core functionality, launch sooner and learn what works in real time.
Here’s how the MVP approach changes things:
- It’s Iterative
Rather than going through a single long cycle of development, the MVP approach is designed to be a cycle in itself. You build, launch, gather feedback and improve. This process allows you to respond to real user needs instead of relying solely on assumptions.
- It’s Agile and Adaptive
The MVP approach fits naturally with Agile development, which emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to change. When you start with an MVP, you’re not locked into a rigid roadmap – you have the freedom to adapt, pivot and add features based on what’s working (and what’s not).
- It’s Cost-Efficient
By focusing only on the essentials, you’re able to minimize costs in the early stages. This lean approach lets you test the waters without a huge upfront investment, reducing the financial risks associated with overdeveloping too soon.
Imagine the difference in mindset: with the traditional model, you’re hoping the final product will meet users’ needs, whereas with an MVP, you’re actively learning about those needs as you go.
It’s a process that’s as much about discovery as it is about development.
In my experience, when you take the MVP approach, you’re building a product that’s much more likely to stay relevant, because it evolves alongside your users and the market.
Steps to Developing an MVP App
If you’re ready to start developing an MVP, the process itself is intentionally straightforward.
The goal is to build quickly, launch, learn and improve. Here are the key steps I recommend to get your MVP app off the ground:
Step 1: Define the Core Problem Your App Will Solve
Every successful app starts with a problem it aims to solve. Before thinking about features or functionality, ask yourself: What is the main challenge my users face, and how will my app address it?
Getting clear on this purpose is essential because it will guide everything that follows. The core problem we identified earlier was: I need to see when it’s dark outside.
Keep your problem statement front and center throughout the development process to stay focused on your app’s primary goal.
Step 2: Prioritize Essential Features Only
Once you know the core problem your app will solve, it’s time to identify the minimum set of features needed to deliver that solution. This can be one of the toughest steps because it’s easy to get excited about additional features. But here, less is more.
For example, the requirements for the core problem from Step 1 might look like:
Focus on building just enough functionality to solve the problem and give users a reason to engage with the app. Remember, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to add more features down the road.
Step 3: Develop, Test, and Launch the MVP
With the core features identified, you’re ready to develop and test the MVP. Keep in mind that quality matters just as much as simplicity. Even though it’s a “minimum” version, it should still be well-built, intuitive and free of bugs.
Then, you’re ready to launch and let users start engaging with your app.
Step 4: Gather Feedback and Iterate
One of the most valuable aspects of an MVP is the feedback it provides from real users.
Some of our clients use the MVP app we build for them as a way to give demos to customers. Whether you’re using it as a demo, or launching it to be used live in the field – actively gather feedback about how people are using the app, what they like and what’s missing for them.
Feedback is like a roadmap for the next steps, guiding future improvements and helping you prioritize features that will have the most impact.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Building an MVP App
While an MVP app can be a powerful approach, it’s easy to fall into certain traps. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Overloading the MVP with Unnecessary Features
It’s tempting to add “just one more feature,” but doing so can defeat the purpose of an MVP. Keep your focus on core functionality to avoid delaying your launch and overspending early on.
- Neglecting User Feedback or Iteration
The real value of an MVP comes from user feedback. If you’re not actively gathering insights and iterating based on what you learn, you’re missing out on a huge advantage.
- Treating the MVP as a Finished Product
An MVP is not your final version; it’s a stepping stone. Be ready to refine, improve, and expand as you gather feedback and see how users engage with your app.
Final Thoughts on the Value of an MVP App
Starting with an MVP is one of the smartest ways to develop an app that’s truly aligned with user needs. By focusing on a lean, functional product, you’re able to launch faster, adapt based on real-world feedback and avoid the risks of overbuilding.
An MVP approach isn’t just about getting to market quickly – it’s about setting a solid foundation for ongoing improvement and growth. When you start small and build based on real user experiences, you’re far more likely to create an app that’s relevant, reliable and successful in the long term.
