In my experience, every single client struggles to prioritize the elements they will build into the first release of their product.
It can feel like so much is riding on that first release — that all of your big ideas need to be fully formed and perfect for that initial launch to the public.
But the truth is that it is so much better to get something out sooner mostly baked rather than waiting until it’s “golden brown”. The sooner you get your product into your customer’s hands, the closer you are to understanding what they truly want from your product. I find it helps to remember that product experiences are living breathing things that will continue to grow as you collect new information.
So you don’t have to fear. You’ll get another chance to test out all your ideas. But first, you have to start somewhere.
Here’s what I find helpful:
First, talk with your customers about what they want to make sure your idea sticks.
Identify focus around one primary idea or goal.
Move features that are irrelevant to “the thing” into your backlog.
Get something out the door so you can start talking to customers again.
The key to success is to be fluid enough to pivot and adjust based on what you hear. With product focus and flexibility, V1 will be just the beginning of a long, successful product.
If you need help designing a user-centered MVP, we offer a range of flexible programs. Book a consultation to see if there’s a fit.