The MVP, a term meant to validate assumptions quickly, has been warped into an excuse for rushing half-baked products into the world. Creators are told to get it out there fast. But “fast” has become a proxy for “lazy.” And “viable” has quietly disappeared from the conversation.

Most MVPs aren’t viable. They’re just unfinished.

The Problem with MVP Culture

• Customers are confused. The product feels empty or unclear. You lose trust before you gain traction.

• Teams burn out. Creative people hate launching something they don’t believe in.

• You test the wrong thing. Instead of validating your idea, you validate a broken version of it.

• You teach yourself to compromise. And that mindset sticks.
  
  
  

The Reframe: Minimum Valuable Product

Instead of asking “What’s the fastest thing I can ship?”

Ask: “What’s the smallest version of this that’s worth someone’s time?”

Not perfect. Not finished.

But focused. Coherent. Confident enough to be proud of,and clear enough for someone to get it.

A minimum valuable product is:

• One feature done well, not five features stitched together

• A story someone can repeat, not a list of what’s coming soon

• A product that solves a problem today, even if it evolves tomorrow
  
  
  

Speed Shouldn’t Cost Clarity

Moving fast is important. But speed without clarity creates noise. It burns leads, kills morale, and teaches your team to value output over outcome. You get addicted to shipping, and forget what it means to deliver something meaningful.

Shipping is easy. Clarity is expensive. But clarity compounds. It builds trust. Loyalty. Word of mouth. Buy-in.

If your MVP needs a 10-minute explanation, it’s not viable.

If your team is apologizing before the demo’s over, you shipped too early.

Move fast, yes.

But move with enough care that people want you to keep going.