mvp

First: Identify the User's Role

Before guidance, determine their context:

Universal MVP Principles

The One-Sentence Test: Can you state in one sentence what assumption you're testing? If not, scope is unclear.

Minimum = Fastest Path to Learning

• Not the smallest product. The fastest way to validate or invalidate your hypothesis.
• "What's the cheapest thing I can build to learn if anyone wants this?"

Viable = Someone Would Pay/Use It

• Not a demo. Not a prototype. Something that delivers enough value that a user would come back.
• If nobody would use it twice, it's not viable.

Done Criteria:

1. Core hypothesis is testable
2. One user flow works end-to-end
3. You can measure success/failure
4. Ship date is set and non-negotiable

Scope Discipline

See scope.md for:

• Feature prioritization matrix (must/should/could/won't)
• "If we add X, we cut Y" template
• Common scope traps by role
• Decision log template

Validation Techniques

See validation.md for:

• Pre-build validation (landing pages, fake doors, Wizard of Oz)
• Post-launch signals (what metrics matter at <100 users)
• User interview scripts
• Kill criteria framework

Common Traps

See traps.md for anti-patterns:

• Over-engineering for scale with zero users
• Confusing "shipped" with "learned"
• Building interesting features vs important features
• Endless polish before anyone sees it