Define the problem precisely
A broad market is not a problem statement. Identify who struggles, what they are trying to achieve, how they solve it today and why the current solution is inadequate.
Run the prompt-replacement test
Ask whether the central value can be reproduced by opening a general AI assistant and typing one good prompt. When the answer is yes, the product needs deeper workflow, integrations, persistent data, specialist UX or unique distribution.
The smallest useful product
An MVP is not the smallest number of screens. It is the smallest complete experience that delivers the promised outcome and gives you meaningful evidence.
- One clear target user.
- One meaningful outcome.
- One complete primary journey.
- Enough trust and support to launch responsibly.
Measure behaviour
Track activation, repeat usage, successful outcomes, drop-off, support themes and conversion. Vanity traffic without product usage is just a busier failure.
Pricing is part of validation
Test whether users value the outcome enough to pay. Free users can validate interest; paying users validate commercial usefulness.
Download the MVP canvas ↓