How to build an MVP without a technical co-founder

The main goal of your MVP is to learn and validate. While every idea is different to test out with potential users and there are many ways to do so, some general guidelines can be followed to maximise your effort. The workshop will try to address to following questions that may be troubling you: Do I really need to program a working prototype at the current stage? Should I learn to code myself? Should I outsource the development? Should and how can I convince someone to join the venture?

Transcript

1. How to build an MVP without a technical co-founder
2. How to build an MVP without a technical co-founder Monterail.com Szymon Boniecki • co-owner Bartosz Pietrzak • co-owner
3. 1. Think of what MVP really means
4. 1. Think of what MVP really means ! You don't need to have a scalable, automated solution from day 1. " Don't be afraid of simulating the final product with semi-automatic, non-scalable solutions.
5. 1. Think of what MVP really means ! Landing pages —„What we should have done, and what we did for a lot of features thereafter, is started with a landing page that promised people that product.” —http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/ 2009/03/minimum-viable-product.html
6. 1. Think of what MVP really means ! Landing pages —http://landingi.com —https://www.leadpages.net/products/
9. http://hemingwayapp.com
10. 1. Think of what MVP really means Designs: selling the promise "Four people. The man is in blue outfit, the woman in a red one, the girl is in pink and the boy is in green." vs !‍"‍#‍$
11. 1. Think of what MVP really means Designs: selling the promise —Sometimes it's easier to show an idea than to explain it with words. —You can do the same with software.
12. 1. Think of what MVP really means Designs: selling the promise —They're not the real thing —(But hey, they are cheaper!) —And they can get you closer to it
13. 1. Think of what MVP really means Designs: selling the promise —Glue the designs together as an interactive demo —http://invisionapp.com
14. 1. Think of what MVP really means Building the real software ! „Disposable MVP”: proofs of concept, prototypes, throwaways —Don't be afraid of shortcuts —...as long as you handle them in the future
15. 1. Think of what MVP really means Building the real software —Be aware of legacy costs —Should we support those who use the „hackish” software? —Or should we migrate them to new ones? what will be the cost of migration?
16. 2. What are my options?
17. 2. What are my options? ! Should I learn to code myself? " Should I build an in-house team? # Should and how can I convince someone to join the venture? $ Should I outsource the development?
18. 2. What are my options? ! Learning to code all by yourself ! Noble pursuit " Building something of value is truly complex # Takes years, sweat and tears to perfect
19. 2. What are my options? ! Learning to code all by yourself ! Noble pursuit " Building something of value is truly complex # Takes years, sweat and tears to perfect Will help with understanding how complicated software development could be and where to cut the corners.
20. 2. What are my options? ! Build an in-house team —Cherry-pick the right and motivated people —They will become your key members —Steals your focus —At an MVP level might be an over-investment
21. 2. What are my options? ! Convince someone to join the venture —Show the traction! —methods described in part 1
22. 2. What are my options? ! Outsourcing — things to consider —Cost —agency is a couple times more expensive than hiring a developer —Trust —would our interests truly be aligned? Would they be as motivated to work fast as I am, or as a co- founder with skin in the game would be
23. 2. What are my options? ! Outsourcing — things to consider —Focus —lets you focus on working side-by-side with them on getting the product built —Ownership —you keep 100% of the company —Perspective —every decision is on you so make sure they can act as your advisors
24. 2. What are my options? ! Outsourcing — things to consider —Timing —in a couple weeks you can have a living, breathing product in the market that lets you collect user feedback, get validation and push the business forward
25. 2. What are my options? ! Outsourcing the development —Outsourcing a project —Outsourcing a team
26. 2. What are my options? ! Outsourcing a project —Most cost-effective —Think freelancers —Requires software development experience —E.g. for reading early-warning signs that can affect timelines —Odesk/Elance come handy
27. 2. What are my options? ! Outsourcing a team —An effective team ready to start from day 1 —Professionals that have been perfecting the process over years —Look for something more than hired guns — look for advisors —A good agency understands your success is more work for them
28. 3. What next?
29. 3. What next? —You’ll be iterating, it’s rarely a one-time shot —Prepare your timelines and finances accordingly —Investors may ask you to build own team eventually —An asset that builds up a company value —Find a good designer — if you haven’t already —Design may become one of your crucial selling points
30. 3. What next? —Costs optimization techniques: —An agency-built product should by definition be rock solid so you can start looking for cheaper ways to maintain it —Outsource to a cheaper country — they’re more difficult to work with but you learned your way already —It’s demotivating to cut staff costs within an in- house team
31. Questions?
32. ! Thank you! @szymo / @bartoszpietrzak monterail.com