Jason Cohen wrote a blog post titled I hate MVPs. So do your customers. Make it SLC instead.
« Product teams have been repeating the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) mantra for a decade now, »
« The motivation behind the MVP is still valid:
- Build something small, because small things are predictable and inexpensive to test.
- Get it into the market quickly, because real learning occurs only when real customers are using a real product.
- Trash it if it’s a flop, or invest if it’s a seedling with potential. »
« The problem is that customers hate MVPs. Startups are encouraged by the great Reid Hoffman to “launch early enough that you’re embarrassed by your v1.0 release.” But no customer wants to use an unfinished product that the creators are embarrassed by. Customers want great products they can use now. »
« MVPs are too M and almost never V. »
« These are the components of the correct alternative to the MVP: Simple, Lovable, and Complete (SLC). At WP Engine we pronounce it “Slick.” »
Minimum Viable Product is a topic discussed in The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries.
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