1  Napkin Sketch

Identify a problem and brainstorm a solution.

Make sure it’s something that you have personal experience with. Don’t be a solution looking for a problem.The vast majority of startups fail, but don’t let that stop you from creating something great.

Napkin Sketch process step visualization.

2  Analyze

What is the minimum scope that provides a VALUABLE product to solve the problem?

You don't want the MvP (Minimum Viable Product).You want the MVP - Minimum VALUABLE Product.

The era of mediocre Minimum viable Products is over. Consumers now expect polished, thoughtfully designed Minimum VALUABLE Products.

Analyze process step visualization.

3  Sketch

Define the optimal user experience for the product: What are all of the screens and how are they interconnected?

Avoid diving into high-fidelity designs immediately. Embrace the creative freedom of the whiteboard until you’ve thoroughly refined the user experience.

Sketch process step visualization.

4  Design

Focus on the details of the user experience and technical implementation, ensuring simplicity guides every stage of design: high-fidelity UI/UX, data model, API, and processes.

Define a simple relational data model; don’t wait for it to magically appear during development. Keep it simple—it is the foundation of your solution.
‍
Design the API to support the UI/UX experience you aim for; avoid generic, data model-centric REST-based APIs.Transform your user experience sketches into detailed, beautiful UI/UX designs and prototypes.

Tools:
Figma logo.
Figma
Miro logo.
Miro
Design process step visualization.

5  Build

Implement the user experience and technical designs using the most appropriate, simplest, lasting set of tools and practices.

Resist the temptation to adopt today’s buzzwords like GraphQL and serverless functions. Instead, use the simplest, most enduring technologies that effectively accomplish your goals. Avoid introducing technical complexity at all costs.

Build process step visualization.

6  Test

Conduct early hands-on testing throughout the design and build phases using prototypes from design (Figma) and implementation (App Store).

Encourage feedback and change as early as possible to create a polished product. Pay attention to global usability issues as well as the minute details to end up with a professional, polished product.

Even with all of the analysis and design, there are changes that occur when we see the product coming together. Don't be afraid to make the final 10% of changes at this point.

To be a minimum VALUABLE product, it must be polished and bug free.  Flawless in its defined scope.

Test process step visualization.Test process step visualization.

7  Launch!

Release the product to users, ensuring a smooth rollout and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

Embrace the continuous refinement process, recognizing that the product will evolve after launch –  this is essential for its long-term success.

Performance profiling, crash reporting, and user feedback channels are already integrated into the product to collect valuable insights. Use this data to make ongoing improvements and adjustments.

Launch process step visualization.