The Untameable Mindset
3. MVP Driven: Start Small, Grow Big
Written by: Edgar Ravenhorst, 24 mei 2024
Begin with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and scale up through iterative development. This approach allows for rapid deployment and user feedback while ensuring the product evolves robustly and sustainably.
An MVP-driven approach focuses on starting with a basic version of the product that includes only the most essential features. This allows for quick release and early user feedback, which guides future development. It is crucial to ensure that the initial MVP is designed with scalability in mind, preventing “quick and dirty” solutions that could hinder future growth.
Key Principles
Define a clear mission statement that articulates the project’s purpose and direction. Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to keep the team focused and motivated. Regularly hold alignment sessions to ensure everyone stays on the same page and adapts to any changes in the vision or goals.
Benefits
A unified vision and clear goals provide direction and purpose, ensuring all team members work towards the same objectives. This alignment boosts motivation, enhances collaboration, and improves decision-making, leading to more efficient and effective project execution.
Implementation Strategies
Clearly communicate the mission statement and project goals to all team members. Use alignment sessions to keep everyone informed and engaged. Regularly review and update goals based on project progress and feedback.
Examples
A successful project team starts each sprint with a meeting to review the mission statement and goals, ensuring everyone is aligned. They also hold weekly alignment sessions to discuss progress, address challenges, and adjust Goals as needed. A unified vision and clear goals are the foundation of effective teamwork. By ensuring everyone understands and aligns with the project’s objectives, the team can work more efficiently and cohesively, ultimately leading to project success.
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Read about other Aspects of the Untameable Mindset:
This page is part of a series on The Untameable Mindset. Explore the other aspects to learn more about the principles that guide our development practices and behaviors.
1: Unified Vision and Goals
Ensure everyone understands the project's vision and goals. This shared understanding guides decisions and actions across the team.
Learn more2: Cross-Functional Collaboration
Foster collaboration among all roles by encouraging open communication and teamwork. This approach leverages diverse expertise and perspectives to solve problems and innovate effectively.
Learn more3: MVP Driven: Start Small, Grow Big
Begin with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and scale up through iterative development. This approach allows for rapid deployment and user feedback while ensuring the product evolves robustly and sustainably.
Learn more4: Release or Disable Features Through Configuration
Use feature toggles and configurations to release or disable features quickly. This approach allows for flexible adjustments without extensive code changes, enabling controlled rollouts and quick responses to feedback.
Learn more5: Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
Integrate and deliver code changes frequently with automated testing and deployment to ensure code quality and functionality. This approach promotes collaboration, reduces integration issues, and maintains a stable, deployable codebase.
Learn more6: Pragmatic Testing of Code
Focus on tests that provide real value and insight. Identify critical paths and concentrate testing efforts on the most important areas to ensure high code quality and performance, avoiding over-testing.
Learn more7: Automate Repetitive and Complex Tasks
Automate complex or repetitive tasks across the organization and for end-users to improve efficiency and free up time for more valuable work. This enhances productivity and ensures consistent execution.
Learn more8: Prioritize Needs of the End-User and (Future) Developer
Prioritize both the end-user experience and future developer needs to ensure the product is user-friendly and maintainable. Involve users in design, maintain clear documentation, and follow best practices for code maintainability.
Learn more9: Concise and Accessible Documentation
Maintain concise and accessible documentation to provide an overview of the software, its components, and critical business logic. This supports effective use and development without consuming excessive time.
Learn more10: Continuous Feedback and Improvement
Foster a culture of continuous feedback and improvement. Regularly collect feedback from all stakeholders to refine processes and products, ensuring the development process is always evolving and adapting.
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