MVP

Jan 19, 2024

How much costs to develop an Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?

Can I reduce costs by using some tools?

What are the best tools to build and launch an MVP?

There are some of the many questions we have when considering developing an MVP.

We know this because we have experienced these concerns before. And considering this, we will help you with the top 5 MVP tools to develop and launch an MVP from scratch!

The development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a crucial stage in the life cycle of any product or startup.

This approach allows development teams to test and validate their ideas quickly and efficiently before investing significant resources. However, to achieve success in this endeavor, it is essential to have the right development tools.

Before going deeper into specific tools, it is crucial to understand the central role an MVP plays in the life cycle of a product. An MVP is an initial and simplified version of a product designed to meet users' basic needs.

This approach allows teams to collect valuable feedback, validate concepts, and adjust strategies before investing substantial resources in full product development.

By deciding to develop an MVP, companies can save time and money while avoiding the risk of launching a product that does not meet market expectations.

However, the effectiveness of an MVP heavily depends on the tools used during the development process.

There are several tools on the market designed to make MVP development more efficient and effective. Let's explore five of these tools, highlighting their distinctive features and how they can contribute to your project's success.

Miro is as a dynamic online workspace designed for innovation, providing a collaborative platform where distributed teams can collectively envision, design, and bring future projects, like your MVP, to life.

Here are some of the many aspects that make Miro a nice tool to start planning your MVP:

• Real-Time Visual Collaboration: Miro is a visual collaboration tool that goes beyond traditional project management tools. It allows teams to collaborate in real-time, promoting more efficient communication during MVP development. The ability to work on a visual board facilitates idea exchange, workflows, and instant feedback.
• Templates for Agile Development: Miro provides a variety of specialized templates for agile development of digital products. From mind maps to Kanban boards and flow diagrams, these templates offer an initial structure that streamlines the planning and execution of the MVP. This is especially valuable for teams adopting an agile and efficient approach.
• Brainstorming and Conceptualization: Miro is particularly valuable in the early stages of MVP development, offering a virtual space for brainstorming and conceptualization. With the ability to create mind maps, diagrams, and flowcharts, teams can visualize and refine their ideas, providing a solid foundation for product construction.
• Integration of Existing Tools: Miro stands out for its ability to integrate with other essential tools. This means you can easily incorporate designs from Figma and Jira boards, or other elements from different tools directly into the collaborative Miro environment, centralizing resources and improving efficiency.
• Ease of Navigation and Organization: With an intuitive interface, Miro offers ease of navigation and organization. Teams can create custom boards, add notes, and organize elements logically, making it simpler for all members to track the progress of MVP development.

Figma is a versatile and collaborative design tool that has become a pilar in the world of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design.

Here are some of the key features and advantages of Figma for your MVP design:

• Cloud-Based Design: Figma operates in the cloud, enabling users to access their design projects from any device with an internet connection. This cloud-based approach facilitates seamless collaboration, allowing designers to work concurrently in real-time.
• Accessibility and Ease of Use: Getting started with Figma is straightforward. By visiting the Figma website, users can quickly sign up, start a project, and begin designing. This accessibility makes it a user-friendly choice for beginners and seasoned designers alike.
• Versatility: Figma is a comprehensive design tool that caters to a broad spectrum of design needs, including website and application design, logo creation, and more. Its versatility makes it a go-to solution for various design projects.
• High-Fidelity Prototyping: For UI designers, Figma offers the capability to create high-fidelity, interactive prototypes. This feature is invaluable for visualizing and testing design concepts before implementation.
• Design System Support: Figma supports the creation and management of design systems. This includes fundamental concepts, building, and documenting design systems, providing guidance throughout the entire design system journey.

You can use Figma to create your MVP product prototype and also to develop your responsive design.

We talk more about responsive web design and MVP in simple steps in other articles on the Wiseverge blog. Check it out later!

Jira, developed by the Australian company Atlassian, is a versatile tool renowned for its effectiveness in agile project management, bug tracking, and issue management. Used by teams worldwide, Jira enables seamless planning, tracking, release, and support of software projects with confidence.

Check the main aspects that made Jira one of our top tools for building your MVP:

• Agile Boards: Jira Software incorporates powerful Scrum and Kanban boards, enabling teams to manage work efficiently. Scrum boards facilitate iterative development, while Kanban boards support continuous delivery.
• Timelines: The tool facilitates the visualization and planning of project timelines, making it easy for teams to organize and track project progress over time. This feature enhances project management by providing a clear overview of milestones and deadlines.
• Reports and Insights: Jira offers detailed reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into project metrics. Teams can generate custom reports to analyze progress, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions for more effective project management.
• Customizable Scrum and Kanban Boards: Jira allows teams to tailor Scrum and Kanban boards to fit their unique workflows and requirements. This customization enhances agility, allowing teams to structure their boards according to their preferred work methodologies.
• Estimation and Planning: Provides tools for accurate estimation and effective planning. Teams can estimate the time required for specific issues, facilitating better project planning and resource allocation.
• Collaboration: Promotes collaboration through features that go beyond traditional project management aspects. It provides a collaborative environment for teams to share ideas, feedback, and information, fostering effective teamwork.
• Issue Tracking: A robust issue tracking and management that serves as a comprehensive tool for capturing, prioritizing, and resolving issues throughout the project lifecycle.

Firebase, a Google product, is a versatile platform designed to streamline the development, management, and growth of applications. Originally established as a Y Combinator startup, Firebase has evolved into a comprehensive Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) and app development platform integrated with Google Cloud Platform.

We use Firebase at Wiseverge and can list some of the tool's advantages for your MVP:

• Simple and Secure Authentication: Firebase simplifies the authentication process, offering a simple and secure solution to protect access to your application. This is crucial for MVPs where efficient authentication is essential but should not consume significant development resources.
• Scalable Cloud Storage: With Firebase's cloud storage capability, teams can easily scale as the product grows. This eliminates concerns about storage capacity, allowing developers to focus on enhancing MVP features.
• Real-Time Analytics: Firebase provides real-time analytics, offering immediate insights into your application's performance. This capability is vital during MVP development, enabling the team to quickly adjust features based on concrete data about user behavior.
• Flexible Infrastructure: Firebase's flexibility regarding programming languages allows teams to choose technology that aligns with their skills and specific project requirements, making it a versatile and adaptable choice.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) revolutionized the world of cloud computing by providing a comprehensive suite of IT infrastructure services as web services. Widely recognized as the world's leading cloud provider, AWS allows users to scale computing resources, storage, and throughput based on their specific needs.

AWS has become synonymous with cloud computing, offering a broad range of services encompassing computing power, storage, databases, machine learning, analytics, and more. Businesses and developers leverage AWS to build, deploy, and scale applications, benefiting from its reliability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

AWS offers lots of benefits for businesses seeking scalable and reliable cloud computing solutions. Here are some key advantages:

• Flexibility: AWS provides flexibility in selecting the operating system, programming language, web application platform, database, and other services, allowing users to tailor their environment to specific needs.
• Cost Efficiency: Adopting AWS allows organizations to trade fixed expenses for variable expenses, benefitting from massive economies of scale, and eliminating the need for upfront capital investment.
• Scalability: AWS enables businesses to scale resources up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance without over-provisioning or underutilization.
• Speed and Agility: The cloud infrastructure of AWS facilitates rapid deployment of resources, reducing the time it takes to make capacity changes and enabling quicker innovation and project execution.
• Diverse Toolset: AWS offers an incredibly diverse array of tools and services, providing users with an extensive set of solutions for various computing needs.
• Global Reach: With data centers located worldwide, AWS allows businesses to reach a global audience with low-latency and high-performance services.
• Security and Compliance: AWS implements robust security measures, including encryption, identity and access management, and compliance certifications, ensuring data protection and regulatory adherence.
• Reliability: AWS's global infrastructure is designed for high availability, offering a reliable environment for hosting applications and ensuring minimal downtime.
• Community and Support: AWS boasts a vibrant community and provides extensive documentation, support, and training resources, empowering users to leverage the platform effectively.

Notion is a versatile tool that can serve as an all-in-one platform for organizing your work and life efficiently. As a comprehensive workspace tool, Notion proves invaluable for documenting product development, providing a centralized hub for organizing information and enhancing collaboration.

Here's why documenting product information in Notion is crucial in our opinion:

• Future Reference: Documenting product requirements and development details in Notion ensures easy retrieval for future reference. Teams can recall crucial information, reasons behind decisions, and specific details even after an extended period.
• Version Control: Maintain a structured record of product versions, updates, and changes. Notion's flexibility allows teams to create version history, aiding in tracking the evolution of the product over time.
• Collaborative Efforts: Facilitate collaboration among teams by utilizing Notion's features for real-time updates, comments, and discussions. This ensures everyone involved in the product's development stays informed and aligned.
• Efficient Archiving: Use Notion's structured databases to efficiently archive project-related documents, meeting notes, and other relevant information. This simplifies the process of locating critical data when needed.
• Structured Templates: Utilize Notion's customizable templates for creating structured product requirement documents. Tailor these templates to fit the specific needs of your project.
• Cross-Referencing: Leverage Notion's cross-referencing capabilities to link related information across different pages, ensuring a comprehensive and interconnected documentation system.

When developing an Minimum Viable Product (MVP), choosing the right tools can make a significant difference in the project's success.

Considering our daily choices, which are the MVP tools we recommend in this article:

• Miro and Figma offer collaborative design and ideation features for efficient prototyping.
• Jira excels in agile project management, providing robust capabilities for planning, tracking, and releasing software.
• Firebase and AWS serve as reliable choices for scalable cloud infrastructure and backend services, with Firebase simplifying backend development and AWS offering a plethora of services for flexibility.
• Notion proves to be invaluable for documentation and collaboration, providing a versatile platform for structured documentation and project tracking.

Remember that the ideal combination of tools will depend on your project's specific needs and your team's dynamics. By adopting the right tools, you not only accelerate MVP development but also increase your chances of creating a final product that meets market and user expectations.

Invest time in choosing and implementing these tools, as they are not just development instruments but essential partners in your MVP product's journey toward success.