Most MVPs fail because they’re not minimal.
They’re just smaller versions of the wrong thing.
An MVP is not:
- A reduced feature set
- A “Phase 1”
- A safer version of the final product
An MVP exists for one reason:
To test a single assumption.
If your MVP is testing more than one thing, it’s already bloated.
The 3 assumptions every MVP accidentally tests
Most builders try to test all of these at once:
- Do people want this?
- Will they understand how to use it?
- Can I build it well?
That’s why results are unclear.
When everything is being tested, nothing is proven.
Strip your MVP down to one question
Ask yourself:
“What needs to be true for this to be worth continuing?”
Then design only for that.
Examples:
Want to test demand?
Don’t build the app. Build the landing page.Want to test usability?
Don’t build auth. Build one flow.Want to test willingness to pay?
Don’t polish UI. Add a price.
A better MVP checklist
A good MVP:
- Has one screen or flow
- Asks one question
- Produces a yes or no answer
- Can be explained in one sentence
If you can’t explain it simply, it’s not ready.
The uncomfortable truth
Most MVPs are too big because they’re designed to avoid embarrassment.
But embarrassment is feedback.
And feedback is the whole point.
The reframe
Stop asking:
“Is this good enough to launch?”
Start asking:
“What am I actually trying to learn?”
Build that.
Nothing more.
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