MVP Development Framework

Purpose:
This document distills our proven framework into a clear, actionable process designed to reduce wasted effort, build only what's essential, and test the right things at the right time.

1. Overview

At 99 Studio, we've worked with early-stage teams, enterprise innovation arms, and in-house venture studios to build MVPs that actually drive traction, not vanity metrics.

This isn't a generic "startup guide." It's a decision-making framework.

If you're here to build something meaningful, fast, and scalable, you're in the right place.

2. Core Principles

Before diving into the process, align on the fundamentals:

• Build the minimum necessary to prove the core value.
• Make every assumption testable.
• Prioritize speed, learning, and iteration over completeness.
• Launch to learn, not to impress.

This is not about building the final product. It's about getting real signals from real users as early as possible.

3. Phase 1: Define the Problem Clearly

3.1 Key Questions

Start by understanding the problem from the user's perspective:

• What is the user's current behavior without your product?
• What job are they trying to get done?
• What are the current solutions or workarounds?
• Why do they care about this now?

Critical Check: If your team cannot describe this in plain English, you are not ready to build.

3.2 Deliverable – Problem Definition Document (1 Page)

Create a one-page Problem Definition Document that includes:

• Target segment
• Problem statement
• Current alternatives
• Key frustrations or unmet needs

This document becomes the anchor for everything that follows.

4. Phase 2: Identify the Core Value Hypothesis

This is the one value your MVP must prove. Not five. One.

4.1 Example – Team Collaboration App

Teams will switch from WhatsApp to a task-focused collaboration tool
if it helps them track work without missing chats.

Your MVP should do only enough to prove or disprove that statement.

4.2 Deliverable – Core Value Hypothesis

Produce a written Core Value Hypothesis that everyone on the team agrees on. This will shape the entire build scope and keep conversations grounded.

5. Phase 3: Define Success Metrics

Decide up front what success looks like. Vague goals lead to vague outcomes.

5.1 Key Questions

• What user behavior will indicate that the core value is being delivered?
• What threshold will we consider a clear signal (positive or negative)?

5.2 Example Metrics

- 30% of users return three times in the first week.
- 50% of first-time users complete the key action (e.g., upload, share, post)
  within 5 minutes.

These are behavioral, not vanity metrics.

5.3 Deliverable – Behavioral Success Metrics

Create a short list of Behavioral Success Metrics, tracked from Day 1, that:

• Are directly linked to the Core Value Hypothesis
• Can be measured with the analytics you have set up
• Are simple enough for the whole team to remember

6. Phase 4: Design the Fastest Path to Test

6.1 What Not to Do

Avoid classic MVP traps:

• Don't start by writing code.
• Don't build a dashboard no one asked for.
• Don't include every feature you brainstormed.

6.2 What to Do Instead

• Identify the simplest experience that proves the core value.
• Sketch just that — using Figma, Notion, or even pen and paper.
• Involve the development team only once the testable flow is locked.

6.3 Deliverable – Prototype or Dev-Ready Wireframe

Produce either:

• A clickable prototype, or
• A dev-ready wireframe

covering the single user flow tied to the Core Value Hypothesis.

7. Phase 5: Build Only the Necessary

If a feature doesn't prove or support the core value, leave it out.

7.1 Build Checklist

Before adding any feature, ask:

• Can this be built in under three weeks?
• Can it be used without onboarding?
• Can we explain its purpose in one sentence?
• Does it directly support a success metric?

If the answer to any of these is "no," park it for later.

7.2 Deliverable – Live MVP

Deliver a live MVP with:

• One primary use case, working end-to-end
• Analytics integrated from the beginning
• Just enough UI to make the core flow usable and understandable

8. Phase 6: Launch to the Right People

Don't launch to everyone. Launch purposefully.

8.1 Ideal Test Group

Aim for:

• Unbiased users from the target segment
• At least 30–50 users for a directional signal
• No close friends, co-founders, or startup mentors (they're biased)

You're testing behavior, not opinions.

8.2 How to Reach Them

You can use:

• Simple form tools like Typeform or Google Forms
• Manual outreach (email lists, communities, existing customers)

Focus on getting people who genuinely experience the problem you're solving.

9. Phase 7: Observe and Iterate Fast

Focus on what people do, not what they say.

9.1 Monitor

Track three key dimensions:

• Activation – Do users reach the core value quickly?
• Retention – Do they come back?
• Referral – Do they share it with others?

9.2 Run a Retrospective

After the first ~100 user interactions, run a short retrospective and decide whether to:

• Iterate – If you see partial signals but not enough clarity
• Pivot – If you're seeing mismatched or unexpected usage
• Scale – If the signal is strong and consistent

Capture your decisions and rationale in writing.

10. Phase 8: Prep for Scaling or Handoff

If the signal is strong, start preparing for what's next.

10.1 Technical & Product Preparation

• Strengthen backend, infrastructure, authentication, and security layers
• Bring in UX/UI design for a more refined experience
• Prioritize the next features based on observed user needs, not assumptions

10.2 Documentation for Internal or External Stakeholders

If this is headed for internal handoff or outside investment, prepare:

- A short Post-MVP Brief with user data, lessons learned, and traction metrics
- A pitch or transition document, if applicable

These assets make it easier to bring in new stakeholders or teams without losing context.

11. Summary Checklist

Use this section as a quick reference to ensure you're not skipping critical steps.

12. Closing Note from 99 Studio

We've built and launched MVPs across industries — from SaaS to marketplaces to internal enterprise tools. What works is always the same:

• Disciplined thinking
• Fast validation
• An obsessive focus on real user behavior

If you're tired of wasting cycles and want to move from "we could build this" to "users actually need this," then this framework is your starting point.

Let's build things that work.

Source framework by 99 Studio.