Introduction to MVP Development

Why MVPs Are Hard

Apps are complex by nature because they involve:

• Multiple moving parts and dependencies
• Technical details you'll need to figure out along the way (if it's your first project)
• Communication challenges with developers. They often focus on technical tasks rather than the big picture

External Pressures

Your circumstances will change during development:

• Your day job or main business may demand more attention
• Personal life commitments will compete for your time
• The project will likely take more time and energy than anticipated

Even brilliant founders of successful startups have almost failed multiple times. You're not alone.

Foundation: Clarity Before You Start

Define Your Vision

Before writing any code, get crystal clear on:

Why You're Building It

• Understand your motivation and goals. You want to launch a side business? What price are you ready to pay for it? Not only with money?
• It will be harder than you think. Trust me. Maybe you just want to keep doing your job? Main business?

What You Want to Build

• Create a specific description of your product
• Use prototyping tools to visualize your idea yourself
• Confirm this is really what you want to build
• The clearer the picture — the faster & more cost-efficient you'll get there

Your Resources

• Determine how much money you're comfortable spending
• Decide how much time you can realistically dedicate
• Identify any flexibility in scope, features, or budget

Set Clear Boundaries

Decide these parameters from day one (or even before):

• Total budget available
• Time commitment you can maintain
• Exact list of features (you'll learn it in next modules)

Finding and Working with Developers

Prioritise Simplicity

When hiring developers, look for professionals who:

• Bring clarity, not complexity
• Can explain things in terms you understand
• Take responsibility for their work

Invest Time in Hiring

Spend significant time finding the right team. While it's hard to assess these qualities in initial meetings, focus on:

• Communication style
• Ability to simplify complex concepts
• References and past work

Tech skills should be evaluated by a professional.

Trust Your Team

Once you've carefully selected experienced developers or a technical advisor:

• Do: Trust their expertise and judgment
• Don't: Try to tell them how to do their job

This is especially important for non-technical founders. You hired experts for a reason—let them exercise their expertise.

You want to have development under control. Development is not different from any other outsourcing/delegation. Worst case: you're not happy with results/people, don't understand what's going on, can't meet your expectations, and you keep doing the same.

If you are not happy with what's going on — make a change.

What Will Happen (Be Prepared)

• In the middle of the project you'll decide to add more features
• After some features are developed — you'll decide to rework them (more time)
• There will be miscommunications / different expectations between you and developers
• Somebody in the team will get sick for a week

⇒ 95% chances you'll spend more money and time than you plan.

Later... After the app is developed — no users will come by themselves. Talk with potential users before starting development. Try to sell them the product & make a waitlist.

Your project is not different. Your situation is not different. If you trust me and my expertise — follow all advice in the course. Not only those that you like and would do anyway.

If you follow recommendations — it will increase your chances of building the project successfully. If you follow only some — it will not.

If you decide to kinda follow, but do it another way — it will not work as well. I've been there too. You will not feel comfortable having hard conversations / firing somebody. But there is no other way. Pay attention to small things. Ask questions. Keep a decision log and regularly review it.

Why You Need an Independent Consultant

Many founders, especially those with smaller budgets making their first tech project, hire the cheapest developers who "say yes to everything." This often leads to:

• Poor code quality
• Broken deadlines
• App stability issues
• Technical debt that becomes apparent only when changing developers

Implementation

Hire a part-time technical consultant (1 hour per week) to:

• Review code quality
• Provide independent assessments
• Give you early warnings about problems

Communicate this clearly to your development team:

• They should know reviews will happen
• This isn't about distrust—it's about maintaining quality standards
• The consultant's feedback will be considered alongside your feedback

Benefits:

• Catch quality issues early (before you've spent 60% of your budget)
• Identify problems with team performance
• Reduce risk of discovering poor quality only when transitioning developers

Managing Stress and Expectations

Understand that stress and high expectations are natural, but:

• Don't let stress push you to micromanage
• Avoid second-guessing the experts you hired
• Remember that your role is strategic direction, not technical implementation
• Keep communication open and honest with your team