How to Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in Software Development

In 2024, if you're a startup founder, your focus should be simple: get your product to market fast. And that’s where an MVP—Minimum Viable Product—comes in. The goal? Test your software idea with real users, gather feedback, and pivot before pouring in too much time or money.

Here’s exactly how to create your MVP in a few practical steps.

1. Focus on Solving One Problem

Don’t get caught up in trying to fix everything. Solve one core problem that your product addresses. Keep it simple. If you’re thinking about creating a product around cloud technologies, for example, Yocum Technology Group's cloudarchitecture review helps startups focus on what’s crucial for launching fast.

2. Talk to Your Audience

Skip the guesswork. Talk to people who are actually going to use your product. Find out what features they really need. What’s causing them headaches right now? You’re not building for yourself; you're solving their problems.

We see this all the time in UX/UI design at Yocum Technology Group. The best MVPs are based on solid feedback loops from real users.

3. Sketch Your Idea

Forget complex design tools at the start. Start by drawing out how your product works on paper. What does the user need to do? The clearer you are with the user’s journey, the better you’ll be at keeping the product simple.

4. Ruthlessly Prioritize Features

Be ruthless. If a feature isn’t critical, cut it. Your MVP should only include the absolute must-have features. At Yocum Technology Group, we guide clients through application modernization, where unnecessary features get left behind.

5. Build It Fast

Speed matters more than perfection at this stage. Use low-code platforms or tools that let you get a functional product out quickly. Many startups use Azure DevOps for building and shipping MVPs in record time.

6. Launch ASAP

You’re not done until real people are using your product. It doesn’t need to be pretty—just functional. The faster you launch, the quicker you’ll know if the idea has legs. Yocum Technology Group uses cloud readiness assessments to help businesses prepare for quick scaling once their MVP hits the market.

7. Iterate Based on Feedback

Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Watch how people use your MVP, ask them questions, and tweak your product. You can always improve as you go.
Tim Yocum always reminds founders:

“The success of an MVP isn’t about how perfect it is. It’s about how fast you can adapt based on user feedback.”

If you’re working on a cloud-based product or app, YTG’s data modernization services ensure you can gather and handle the feedback in real-time, making changes swiftly without slowing down.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an MVP?

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of your product that allows you to launch quickly, gather real user feedback, and improve based on what you learn.

2. Why should I build an MVP?

Building an MVP lets you test your product idea with minimal risk. You avoid wasting time and money on features people don’t need while getting real-world insights fast.

3. How long does it take to build an MVP?

Most MVPs can be built in weeks, not months, especially if you focus on the core features. Using services like AzureDevOps can significantly speed up the process.

4. Can I add more features after launching an MVP?

Absolutely! In fact, you should plan to iterate on your MVP. Add features based on real user feedback to ensure you're solving the right problems.

5. How much does it cost to develop an MVP?

The cost depends on the scope and complexity, but the beauty of an MVP is that it's designed to be low-cost by cutting down to only what’s essential. At Yocum Technology Group, we help you keep costs down by focusing on rapid development and necessary features only.

Ready to Get Started?

At Yocum Technology Group, we specialize in helping startups and entrepreneurs take their ideas from concept to MVP fast. Whether you’re working on a cloud-based app, modernizing existing software, or designing from scratch, we’ve got the experience to guide you through the process.

Contact us today to start planning your next project, and let’s get your MVP in front of real users fast.