What is Minimum Viable Product?
MVP — the simplest version of a product you can launch to start learning from real customers.
A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the stripped-down first version of your idea — just enough to solve the core problem and put in front of real users. The point isn't to impress; it's to learn what people actually want before you build the whole thing.
The classic mistake is polishing in secret for a year. The MVP philosophy says: ship the embarrassing early version, listen, and improve. Reality is a better product manager than your imagination.
If you're not slightly embarrassed by your first version, you launched too late.
Related terms
Definitions from the Business Dog Glossary — educational, occasionally satirical, never financial advice.