The Minimum Valuable Product

I used to call them “proofs of concept” or “prototypes” - working demonstrations of an idea. Then it was pointed out to me that not all ideas are about delivering an acceptable service, utility or good to a client. Sure, I could make a prototype - but if it was not acceptable to a client - if it did not serve his needs, at least in a small way - it was not a “Minimum Valuable Product “.

Looking back at the projects I’ve been involved in, I could cite some pretty good MVPs.  On our Project Land Titling project alone. we had several.  The first MVP we had was a standard training program for systematic adjudication. It built on the ideas of LAMP 2, was delivered by LAMP 2 veterans like then-RTD Dian Apistar and then-PENRO (now RTD for Forestry) Edu Inting (both of DENR VII), and involved local government personnel. Prior to the first ever such training we helped a group of Trainers from DENR VII to write down a standardized training design and a complete set of standardized training materials. We tested this MVP in a training in Diamond Hotel in Dau, Bohol.

Another MVP was the digital cadastral maps produced by two Municipalities (I wrote about this in an earlier blog). These CMs were made using a Free and Open Source software. It showed all parcels in a pilot barangay with related information about the disposition of each parcel.

The MVP that I am most fascinated about - and I think has the most potential for revolutionizing land administration in the Philippines - was the “Barangay in a Box” IEC product that we produced with the Municipality of Cordova.  On the outside it looks like a typical cereal box, with an information bar on the side - with a big difference. Instead of data about calories, it showed lot disposition data - the total number of parcels in the barangay, how many of these are titled. how many are still not titled, how many are not disputed, and how many could not - for one reason or another - be titled.  And inside the box is a copy of the Cadastral Map after a round of public land tilting activities, with a corresponding list of the parcels, parcel owners, claimants, etc.

A Minimum Valuable Product shows how your idea translates to reality in such a way that the client can actually appreciate its value. If the client is not willing to pay for it yet I don’t think you can call it a product; you will need to tinker with it a little bit more so you can make sales. In the realm of development reform, clients “pay” for an MVP by making actual financial investments in your product (e.g., they might pay for a training session that you’re offering) or spend social capital for your reform (e.g., a Mayor might issue an Executive Order to establish a mechanism for the reforms you are advocating).  

Of course so much of the value of an MVP lies in the eye of your client. For those who are already sold to your advocacy (or to your reputation or personality) it might take very little to get them to “buy” your MVP. For others who are not as convinced (but at least willing to listen), you have to substantially demonstrate that your MVP works and is good for them. That’s why when you’re faced with a tough customer, don’t lose heart. Instead, see it as an opportunity to create an MVP that will pass this customer’s stringent QC. If you can sell to him, you will probably find it easier to sell you MVP to others.

And of course the MVP should not stay that way.  The MVP does not only bring in your first sales; it should also give you further ideas for creating a much improved product.  The training design that DENR VII officials was improved over time until it was used to train younger trainers. By the time PENRO Inting was promoted to RTD for Forestry, the training team could complete the training on their own - with improvements on the initial design.

In your business, enterprise, development or reform work, what MVPs were you able to produce? Are you still improving on these products?