How to Prioritize Features in MVP?

Startups often struggle with choosing the right product functionalities. This article explores how to properly prioritize features when building a Minimum Viable Product.

The MVP is not a finished product but an initial version designed to accelerate market entry and validate customer demand. The knowledge we can obtain from an MVP is powerful and determines our next move. The primary reason for startup failure is lack of market need, making proper feature selection critical.

The Core Challenge

A fundamental question arises: how can we know which functions are crucial and which aren't? Building an MVP typically involves selecting 2-3 key features to reach market quickly while controlling costs. This approach enables founders to gather user feedback and measure engagement before investing heavily in additional features.

The Prioritization Process

Set Your Product Vision and Strategy

Begin by establishing clear product goals, defining the problem your solution addresses, and identifying your target audience. The Design Sprint methodology is a 5-day workshop that helps validate initial concepts through prototyping.

Analyze Your Competition

Research competitors thoroughly by examining their products and reading customer feedback. Understanding market gaps helps identify which unique functionalities matter most to your audience.

Distinguish Between User Wants and User Needs

Customer feedback proves valuable, yet founders must differentiate between essential features and cool additions. Focus on core functionalities rather than implementing every user suggestion immediately.

Organize Features Into Three Buckets

Must Have: Features most likely to affect key performance indicators and reach business goals. Nice to Have: Features that increase customer satisfaction but aren't essential. Not Needed: Requested features that don't solve the core problem.

Measure the Results

Track engagement and usage metrics including Return on Investment, conversion rates, Lifetime Value, and product quality.

Successful MVP development requires providing sufficient value through powerful core features while reducing implementation costs. The goal is enabling early adopters to test and validate your hypotheses while maintaining focus on user engagement.