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In today's vast diversity of approaches to software development, Agile methodology takes the lead for its undoubtful flexibility and continuous improvement, becoming an excellent choice for MVP development. Let's find out what a minimum viable product in Agile is and what the benefits of this beautiful tandem are.
Agile is an array of software development principles and practices emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and customer collaboration. It is a software development methodology that came as an alternative to linear approaches, in which each step in the development process must be consequent and well-planned. The critical points of Agile are flexibility, dynamic nature, absence of unnecessary restrictions and paperwork. The methodology slices the development process into time-limited iterations, each with its result, and allows one to quickly adapt to changing requirements and promptly react to the feedback.
The research shows that in 2022, 37% of responders stated using the Agile/Scrum method for software development, making it the second most popular option after DevOps/DevSecOps.
Agile MVP combines the best of both concepts: minimum viable product and Agile software development methodology. Developing MVP using Agile methodology reduces the risk of product failure, enables shifting priorities during the process, and lowers unpredictability.
Further, we will broaden the idea of MVP in Agile methodology, starting with the distinction of Agile and its project management frameworks in the vast software development field. Let's discover the facts together!
Besides Agile, there are many other approaches to product development, and Waterfall is one of the most famous.
The Waterfall methodology is a classic approach to project management, often used in software development but applicable to various fields. It is linear, i.e., each development stage goes one after another and requires thorough planning, precise requirements, and a clear-cut budget. It suits government projects and traditional industries, boasting of being predictable, organized, and stable.
The invention of Agile methodology has overthrown Waterfall principles and offered a bright alternative to project management. Agile brought more flexibility, communication, and quality in the industry, becoming one of the most popular approaches in the world.
The Waterfall methodology is a well-established framework for structured project management, but its suitability depends on the specific project and its needs. Agile is valued for its adaptability and faster time to market.
When discussing MVP, the Waterfall approach is hardly suitable for MVP development, as it generally aims to deliver a complete product to the customer. At the same time, Agile welcomes minimum viable product development.
Scrum and Kanban are popular Agile frameworks. Their choice will have a direct effect on the product to be released.
Kanban is a visual workflow management system that uses boards and cards to track work progress. It is flexible and emphasizes quality assurance. Nevertheless, the development process can be long and overcomplicated.
Scum uses iterations to deliver complex projects fast. It is plannable, structured, and measurable. Unfortunately, it has less quality control and works well only with people committed to the collaboration.
You can choose both Agile methodologies for different MVP development stages, for example, Scrum for the beginning of the project and Kanban in later stages.
Implementing Agile involves more than just adopting a specific framework. To truly get the most out of Agile, there are some best practices to keep in mind that apply to various frameworks. Let's come to the roots and see where these practices derive from.
The core principles of Agile methodology lay in the Agile Manifesto, putting forward four key ideas: “individuals and interactions over processes and tools; working software over comprehensive documentation; customer collaboration over contract negotiation; and responding to change over following a plan.”
The core Agile MVP meaning lies in the lines:
The main reasons for Agile implementation within a team or organization include better ability to face changing priorities (64%), acceleration of software delivery (64%), and enhanced team productivity (47%). Additionally, 35% of the research respondents mentioned improved team morale, while 24% emphasized engineering discipline improvement. Thus, developing a minimum viable product in Agile encompasses much more than meets the eye.
Agile best practices include:
Integrate these best practices, and you can create a thriving Agile environment that promotes high-quality software delivery. Adapt and tailor Agile practices to fit your specific project and team needs.
MVP in Agile is a strategic tool that helps developers make informed decisions over further product development. Combining Agile's iterative and adaptable nature with the lean approach of an MVP unlocks a robust set of benefits.
Overall, Agile MVPs are a powerful combination for startups and established businesses. They drive down costs, accelerate development, and enhance product quality by iterating based on real-world user feedback. An MVP isn't about launching a bare-bones product but about testing your core assumptions and building a foundation for a successful and user-centric product.
In Agile project management, a good MVP strikes a delicate balance between several vital characteristics.
A good MVP should solve a core user problem and provide early user validation. It should concentrate on the customers and business needs of product owners, be flexible, and adapt the MVP based on user feedback and information about the market. The MVP in Agile should be built on a solid foundation, meaning it can be easily extended and scaled in future iterations.
Agile features include:
The features and functionality depend on your unique product, target audience, and business goals.
Developing a minimum viable product in Agile is an encouraging process. Let's explore each step of this journey and plan MVP building together.
The process of MVP Agile development starts with defining the problem. To identify the users' main pain points, you can do the following:
The other good idea is to use objectives and key results methodology (OKR) — a goal-setting framework that helps individuals and organizations define measurable goals and track their outcomes. It's famous for its simplicity, flexibility, and ability to align teams around a shared vision. The main outtakes of the methodology are:
The first step builds the foundation for the MVP project in Agile methodology, meaning a lot of dedication and responsibility should be applied at this step. But the idea is not enough — whether it is original and viable remains to be seen.
Before developing your product, make sure your business idea is unique and there is no alternative to your solution on the market.
The bottom line is that you should know your market and your competitors well to introduce desirable products. Good preparation always pays off!
To identify the features of your future Agile MVP project, you should define the problems customers currently face, determine whether it is essential to solve them and find the ways how you can do it with your software.
Here are several tips on how to specify MVP features in Agile:
After defining the problem and the features of the future solution, there is time for thorough planning: developing a product roadmap, defining user stories, and identifying user flows. Discover your product's requirements and provide solutions to users' problems. Maintain customer feedback channels through various MVP testing methods and keep the developers informed.
Remember that your MVP must solve at least one customer's problem. Do not overcomplicate the solution. Keep it simple and smooth.
With the Scrum framework applied, here begins iterative development. It encapsulates dividing the development process into sprints — separate, self-sufficient parts with tangible results. In Agile MVP building, self-organizing teams plan sprints, create a sprint backlog and communicate daily.
The build-measure-learn process helps to regulate the trajectory of project development. Close collaboration between teams, stakeholders, and users allows the MVP project to be changed at any time to bring better results. You build a feature, test it, receive feedback, and implement changes to the next iteration referring to the acquired knowledge.
There will be some point in development when MVP has already given you enough information about the customers' expectations and needs. It is time to make the critical decision: do we continue to develop the product, are we changing something and trying again, or will we give up on that MVP, as it proved to be in no demand?
Ask users what they want. Create an MVP in Agile way to benefit customers' lives. Ask for the feedback and analyze it. Remember that building an MVP isn't a coding quest; it's a search for validation. We're not crafting software for the sake of it but shaping a product users can adore.
Building an effective MVP Agile team requires careful consideration of people and processes but brings generous benefits — the research shows that Agile teams are 25% more productive than their industry colleagues.
Here's a breakdown of critical aspects to focus on while building the team:
It will be a good idea to ensure that team members have previously worked together. In this case, they can perform and deliver earlier. Additionally, pay attention to the participants' favorable combination of soft and hard skills, experience, and the ability to work independently.
The team's composition can vary depending on the complexity and goals of the project.
What is the wisdom of building MVP in Agile? Use short, iterative development cycles (typically 2-4 weeks) to deliver small, functional increments of the MVP. Keep everyone informed and aligned by sharing progress and roadblocks daily. Regularly reflect on successes and failures to identify improvement areas and adapt the process. Integrate mechanisms to gather user feedback after each sprint and incorporate it into the next iteration.
Concentrating on these points, you can build a high-performing MVP Agile team for your minimum viable product development that delivers a successful product quickly and efficiently. Adaptability and continuous learning are crucial in Agile development, so be prepared to adjust your approach and processes as you gather data and feedback.
Besides MVP Agile development, you have probably heard about Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) and Minimum Marketable Product (MMP). Let's figure out the difference between these approaches to launching the product.
MVP seeks customer validation, includes only necessary features, and puts strong emphasis on functionality. The goal is to gather the feedback from the customer and determine whether the users desire the product.
MLP aims to become a love at first-sight for the customers, build positive user sentiment, drive engagement, and foster brand loyalty. It emphasizes user experience (UX) and design, prioritizing features that delight and surprise users.
MMP tends to achieve product-market fit, attract paying customers, and start generating revenue. It includes essential features and functionalities that fulfill user needs and provide value, catering to core user personas.
Overall, the form of product launch depends entirely on your strategy and what you want to test in the product. Nothing stops you from combining the features of the above-mentioned approaches and making something unique and desired.
MVP development in Agile project management methodology can bring a lot to the table: better time to market, increased quality, flexibility, and risk mitigation. All were reached through fruitful collaboration and communication between the teams and departments and swift adaptation to the changing environment.
Have a project in mind? NEKLO is ready to help you with custom software development. Our skilled Agile teams will be happy to help you with the application of any complexity and scale.
US-based and operating globally, NEKLO spearheads digital transformation initiatives for businesses worldwide. We deliver software solutions complying with your market and legislation.
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