Description: The ‘Minimum Viable Scope’ (MVS) refers to the smallest set of features necessary to validate a product idea in the market. This concept is fundamental in agile methodologies, as it allows development teams to launch a product with the essential functionalities that meet the basic needs of users. The MVS not only aims to reduce development time and costs but also facilitates early feedback from users, which is crucial for iterating and improving the product. By focusing on the most critical features, teams can avoid wasting resources on functionalities that may not be valued by users. This approach promotes a mindset of continuous learning, where each release becomes an opportunity to learn and adapt to market needs. In summary, the Minimum Viable Scope is a strategy that enables companies to efficiently validate their ideas, ensuring that the final product aligns with user expectations and desires.
History: The concept of Minimum Viable Scope became popular in the 2000s, especially with the spread of agile methodologies and the Lean Startup approach proposed by Eric Ries. Ries introduced the idea that startups should launch products with minimal features to obtain rapid feedback and validate their value proposition. This approach is based on the premise that it is better to learn from users through a real product than through extensive market research. Since then, the MVS has evolved and been integrated into various agile development practices, becoming a fundamental pillar for innovation and product development.
Uses: The Minimum Viable Scope is primarily used in product and service development across various domains, especially in startups and technology companies. It allows teams to prioritize features that provide the most value to users, facilitating decision-making on which functionalities to develop first. Additionally, the MVS is useful for conducting market tests, as it enables companies to assess the acceptance of their product before investing in full development. It is also applied in project management, where the goal is to maximize learning and minimize risk.
Examples: An example of Minimum Viable Scope is the initial launch of Dropbox, which offered only the basic functionality of cloud storage. Through this minimal version, the company was able to gather valuable feedback from users and adjust its product according to the actual needs of the market. Another case is Airbnb, which started as a simple website for renting rooms, validating its idea before expanding its services and functionalities.
