MVP: Minimum Viable Product

MVP: Minimum Viable Product

In product development there is a concept known as MVP, or minimum viable product. Simply put, this means getting the product out into the market with the least amount of features, in order to get customer feedback and to just get something out there!

This concept can be applied in multiple ways in the data management arena, but two obvious ones come to mind:

  1. Rolling out a new system. Too often, we decide that ALL functionality in ALL areas must be working "just right" before we go-live. And the result is that go-live takes months and months (sometimes years!) longer than it should.
  2. Rolling out new functionality within an existing AMS. Again, too often new functionality is not rolled out quickly because of the mistaken belief that the new functionality must work perfectly before it can be launched.

"Perfect" never happens, so that shouldn't be our benchmark in any case. But too often "it's not quite ready" is an excuse not to launch an otherwise useful new product or service.

MVP is a really good framework to help you avoid waiting and waiting and waiting until something is "just right."

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

AI is perpetually patient

December 10, 2025

AI is perpetually patient My friend and colleague Noel Shatananda of fusionSpan was providing me some […]

User adoption is (almost) all that matters…

December 3, 2025

User adoption is (almost) all that matters… I was speaking with an association recently about their […]

When “overcommunicating” becomes overwhelming

November 19, 2025

When “overcommunicating” becomes overwhelming There is a common belief in project management and general business management that overcommunicating […]

Communicating when there is a major technology change

November 12, 2025

Communicating when there is a major technology change For those of you who are ASAE […]

Everything works, until it doesn’t.

November 5, 2025

Everything works, until it doesn’t. “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” – […]

Some things are unknowable

October 29, 2025

Some things are unknowable One of the most challenging aspects of moving to a new […]

Do we have access to that data?

October 22, 2025

Do we have access to that data? When I work with my clients on a […]

The three “buckets” of contact data

October 8, 2025

The three “buckets” of contact data Broadly speaking, when collecting data on contacts (individuals or organizations), […]

Balancing what is possible with what is realistic

October 1, 2025

Balancing what is possible with what is realistic When I work with clients on technology […]

“Humans want to be surrounded by beauty.”

September 24, 2025

“Humans want to be surrounded by beauty.” “Humans want to be surrounded by beauty.” – […]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top