MVP Development 

Launch Plan, Skills, Investments

With 33 years in IT and over 3,300+ successful projects, ScienceSoft builds high-quality MVPs to help companies promptly roll out key software features, test new initiatives and get quick payback.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Development Guide - ScienceSoft
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Development Guide - ScienceSoft

Minimum Viable Product Development: The Essence

A minimum viable product (MVP) is the earliest shippable software version. Usually, it contains only the essential feature set and has just enough appeal to strike a chord with your target audience. The key goal of MVP development is to receive valuable input from users and start getting payback early on. Once an MVP is launched, it can be gradually upgraded with new features until it becomes a full-fledged app.

  • Delivery time: from 2 weeks to 8 months, with the development stage taking from 2–5 days (for no-code/low-code development) to 6 months (for code-based development).
  • Costs: $40,000–300,000+, which can amount to 10–50% of the total software cost. Learn more about average MVP development costs in the dedicated section below. 

ScienceSoft designs and builds high-quality MVPs for 30+ industries and is ready to provide comprehensive consulting services at any stage of your MVP development project.

MVP vs. Prototype vs. PoC: What’s the Difference?

Proof of Concept (PoC)

A small project (in the form of a simple software demo, a hard-coded piece of tricky functionality, or just a document) that is aimed to prove that your idea is implementable in real life. UX/UI design is not the goal here – the main focus is on the tech side.

Target audience: a tech team, project owners.

Key purpose: To verify the tech feasibility of a project.

Prototype

An interactive representation of the future product design that demonstrates major user flows and software layout.

Target audience: project stakeholders.

Key purpose: To test the ‘look and feel’ of the app, refine the UX/UI before the actual coding.

MVP

A fully functional product that contains just enough functionality to be released to the market.

Target audience: end users.

Key purpose: To start gathering user feedback and gaining profits early on.

How to Build a Minimum Viable Product

The number of MVP development steps and their duration will vary depending on the complexity and novelty of software and a type of a minimum viable product.

Below are described the typical steps we at ScienceSoft take to build an MVP.

Step 1. Discovery and MVP planning

(2 weeks – 1 month)

Business analysis (for products)

  • Product idea generation.
  • Target market, customer, and competitor research.
  • Creating a product concept.
  • Deciding on the monetization strategy.
  • Planning a KPI dashboard for MVP.

Check a sample KPI set for MVP

An informative KPI set can be lean and have, e.g., 3 key groups:

  • Customer acquisition (e.g., the number of signups, the number of downloads, customer acquisition cost).
  • Customer engagement and satisfaction (e.g., CSAT, shares/reactivations/invites).
  • Predicted revenue (e.g., customer lifetime value, predicted monthly recurring revenue).

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Business analysis (for custom enterprise software)

  • Identification of business needs and business process improvement options.
  • Project stakeholder interviewing and analysis.
  • Software idea conceptualization.

Feature road-mapping

  • Feature outline for the full software version.
  • Feature prioritization for the full software version based on user stories, user scenarios, prioritization techniques (e.g., Kano model, RICE method, impact-effort matrix), cost-benefit analysis, etc.
  • Deciding on MVP functionality.

MVP architecture design

with attention to:

  • High-level design of the final solution (if the MVP won’t be re-built in the future, but further improved in iterations).
  • Performance requirements.
  • Information security requirements.
  • HIPAA, FDA, PCI DSS compliance (if needed).

Planning MVP integrations

with third-party systems (if needed).

Choosing a technology stack

for the optimum MVP development time, costs, efforts, and software reliability. If the MVP is to be further improved in iterations, we also keep the full software version in mind while choosing techs.

Step 2 (optional). Proof-of-Concept and Rapid Prototyping

(~2 months)

Pavel Ilyusenko, ScienceSoft’s Head of PMO with 20+ years of experience in IT:

“We recommend opting for a PoC and/or prototypes in case you need to demonstrate the software concept in a sales context, show how the software will work to your stakeholders, or check the technical feasibility of a highly innovative idea.”

Step 3. MVP Development Project Planning

During this stage, our team outlines:

  • Project scope.
  • Project deliverables.
  • Project budget.
  • The PM methodology (most often, one of the Agile options, e.g., Scrum, extreme programming).
  • Project timeline.
  • Project schedule and breakdown into iterations and deliverables.
  • Project risks charter.

Step 4. MVP Development

No-code MVP development (best for a startup MVP or an ambitious SaaS MVP)

(~1-2 days)

Sometimes you can test the demand for a new product or an app’s ability to meet business requirements without actual coding and with minimum possible investments. For this, ScienceSoft uses such MVP types as:

  • A ‘landing page’ MVP (for products) is the presentation of a coming-soon product on the landing page. Usually, this takes the form of a text or video, wireframes or live prototypes. Such an MVP introduces your idea to a target audience and helps evaluate the demand via requests or sign-up forms. It also helps analyze the interest in the features and prioritize the app development accordingly.
  • A ‘flintstone’ MVP – advertising new software and showcasing the process automation it will be capable of, while temporarily handling the processes manually.

Peter Manko, Senior Business Analyst at ScienceSoft with 5+ years of experience:

“If a no-code MVP turns out to be successful, we at ScienceSoft immediately plan a code-based MVP not to get overwhelmed with the processes executed manually (a ‘flintstone’ MVP case) and ensure that our customers are ahead of the competition.”

Code-based MVP development

Two most demanded code-based MVP types:

  • Single-feature MVP – implementing one key feature of future software that creates the core value.
  • 'Piecemeal' MVP – creating a product/a custom application version comprising its basic features out of ready-made elements (created by you in the previous projects or available open source). Later, you are likely to update or replace the reused parts.

The development of a software-based MVP with ScienceSoft usually involves the following stages:

1

2

3

Step 5. MVP Launch and Further Iterations

We deploy ready-to-use software to the production environment. In case of complex MVPs, we first move them through testing and staging environments so that the team can safely introduce the final changes or catch the remaining stealthy issues, if any, before the release.

After the release, ScienceSoft monitors how users communicate with the MVP. We:

  • Validate or redefine user stories.
  • Identify arising risks and update a risk management plan.
  • Adjust feature(s).

When we see that the MVP gets market validation or shows positive changes in business processes, we either further evolve it or build new software from scratch to cater to the needs and expectations of a growing number of users.

Build the Right MVP with ScienceSoft

There are over 3,300 success stories in our portfolio, and each of them once started with an idea. Come to us with a concept, and we will help you turn it into a working app that is loved by its users.

MVP development consulting

With ScienceSoft’s expert guidance, your MVP development will be plain sailing. We can help you form a business vision, define essential functionality, choose the best suited architecture, and provide a detailed plan on how to create an MVP.

Plan with ScienceSoft

End-to-end MVP development

ScienceSoft can take over the entire MVP development process from software planning to release. Once your MVP is launched, we are ready to help you assess user feedback, plan out further adjustments, and proceed with consistent MVP support and evolution.

Launch with ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft as an MVP Development Partner: Mature, Value-Driven, Passionate

  • 33 years in IT, 10 years in SaaS MVP development.
  • 300+ successful mobile projects, 1,900+ web development projects.
  • Trusted by global brands such as Deloitte, IBM, Walmart, eBay, Nestle, NASA JPL, Viber, and more.
  • Hands-on experience in 30+ industries, including healthcare, BFSI, ecommerce, retail, manufacturing, education, telecoms, and more.
  • Fast project launch (2­–14 days), strong Agile and DevOps cultures, strict adherence to SLAs.
  • Quality-first approach based on a mature ISO 9001-certified quality management system.

  • ISO 27001-certified security management based on comprehensive policies and processes, advanced security technology, and skilled professionals.

  • For the second straight year, ScienceSoft USA Corporation is listed among The Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies by the Financial Times.

Selected MVP Development Success Stories by ScienceSoft

Collaboration Software MVP Development for a Global Consulting Provider

Collaboration Software MVP Development for a Global Consulting Provider

  • Design and implementation of a complex MVP with a scalable architecture to help a construction firm boost the delivery of its consulting services to a growing number of clients.
  • Big data handling and accommodating ML capabilities in the long run.
  • A secure multi-layered data storage mechanism enabling the platform users to track the record of data added, modified, and deleted in all file versions.

Result: Streamlined delivery of consulting services and easy collaboration on voluminous project data.

Blockchain-Based Supply Chain Software MVP Development

Blockchain-Based Supply Chain Software MVP Development

  • End-to-end implementation of a blockchain system MVP with secure modular architecture comprising of three parts: a distributed ledger, a consensus algorithm, and a smart contract.
  • Convenient web apps for different user groups (manufacturers, distributors, and stores) that can easily track their goods.

Result: Easy tracking of goods and instant validation of their authenticity across the entire supply chain cycle.

Consulting on MVP Development for an IoT SaaS Platform

Consulting on MVP Development for an IoT SaaS Platform

  • Design of an efficient multi-tenant architecture for a future IoT platform that will be provided as a SaaS to a growing client base of an IT consulting firm. The architecture enables load balancing between the users’ instances, securing user data, and gathering personalized statistics on resource utilization.
  • A detailed Software Architecture Definition (SAD) document, MVP development plan, and system requirements specification.

Result: A ready-made architecture design of the future IoT MVP and a clear plan for the platform implementation.

Telehealth Software MVP Design for Primary Care Practices

Telehealth Software MVP Design for Primary Care Practices

  • Design of a telehealth and practice management solution for primary care services. A detailed MVP development plan for the solution.
  • Design of integration between the new solution and the Customer’s EHR to enable smooth access to patient information and convenient billing in full compliance with HIPAA.

Result: Comprehensive design of a full-scale telehealth and practice management solution and an MVP development plan for it.

Additional talents can be required, depending on the nature of the project, for example, we can also involve data scientists, 3D designers, etc.

Benefits of MVP Development with ScienceSoft

Cost-effectiveness

You avoid excessive investments at the start and stay flexible in the future.

Market testing

You get an opportunity to enter the real market and check the viability of your concept.

Faster time to market

Code-based MVP will be ready for users in ~ 2-6 months, which allows you to roll out your product fast and stay ahead of the competition.

Early feedback

Early user feedback will help you zoom in on necessary product improvements.

Quick idea monetization

The income from MVP can become a solid base for product evolution. Besides, it’s a chance to be noticed by investors.

Access to advanced techs

We can enrich your MVP with AI, VR, data science, blockchain, IoT, and more.

What Our Customers Say

Project Manager

– oversees an MVP project, including delivery on time and on budget, preventing feature creep, etc.

Business Analyst (BA)

– elicits functional and non-functional MVP requirements, technical limitations, defines MVP modules and integrations with other systems.

UX Designer

– performs UX research, designs minimum necessary user interactions with an MVP, and information architecture, conducts usability testing.

UI Designer

– working closely with UX designers, creates aesthetically pleasing, custom visual style of the user-facing MVP interface.

Back-end developers (1-3)

– builds the MVP server side and APIs.

Front-end developer

– creates the MVP client side.

Quality Assurance Engineer (optional)

– designs and implements the test strategy, plans and cases, validates the developed MVP and produces test summary reports.

Start Off with MVP to Go Big

At ScienceSoft, we have established processes and pre-selected teams with all the tech knowledge and skills to deliver your MVP – from initial design to development and launch – in a speedy and lean mode.

Core Techs and Architecture Patterns We Employ in MVP Development

Back-end programming languages

Microsoft .NET

Practice

19 years

Projects

200+

Workforce

60+

Our .NET developers can build sustainable and high-performing apps up to 2x faster due to outstanding .NET proficiency and high productivity.

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Java

Practice

25 years

Projects

110+

Workforce

40+

ScienceSoft's Java developers build secure, resilient and efficient cloud-native and cloud-only software of any complexity and successfully modernize legacy software solutions.

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Python

Practice

10 years

Projects

50+

Workforce

30

ScienceSoft's Python developers and data scientists excel at building general-purpose Python apps, big data and IoT platforms, AI and ML-based apps, and BI solutions.

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Node.js

Practice

10 years

Workforce

100

ScienceSoft delivers cloud-native, real-time web and mobile apps, web servers, and custom APIs ~1.5–2x faster than other software developers.

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PHP

Practice

16 years

Projects

170

Workforce

55

ScienceSoft's PHP developers helped to build Viber. Their recent projects: an IoT fleet management solution used by 2,000+ corporate clients and an award-winning remote patient monitoring solution.

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Golang

Practice

4 years

ScienceSoft's developers use Go to build robust cloud-native, microservices-based applications that leverage advanced techs — IoT, big data, AI, ML, blockchain.

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Front-end programming languages

Languages

JavaScript

Practice

21 years

Projects

2,200+

Workforce

50+

ScienceSoft uses JavaScript’s versatile ecosystem of frameworks to create dynamic and interactive user experience in web and mobile apps.

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JavaScript frameworks

Angular JS

Practice

13 years

Workforce

100+

ScienceSoft leverages code reusability Angular is notable for to create large-scale apps. We chose Angular for a banking app with 3M+ users.

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React JS

Workforce

80+

ScienceSoft achieves 20–50% faster React development and 50–90% fewer front-end performance issues due to smart implementation of reusable components and strict adherence to coding best practices.

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MeteorJS

ScienceSoft uses Meteor for rapid full-stack development of web, mobile and desktop apps.

Vue.js

By using a lightweight Vue framework, ScienceSoft creates high-performant apps with real-time rendering.

Next.js

With Next.js, ScienceSoft creates SEO-friendly apps and achieves the fastest performance for apps with decoupled architecture.

Ember.js

When working with Ember.js, ScienceSoft creates reusable components to speed up development and avoid code redundancy.

Mobile

iOS

Practice

16 years

Projects

150+

Workforce

50+

ScienceSoft’s achieves 20–50% cost reduction for iOS projects due to excellent self-management and Agile skills of the team. The quality is never compromised — our iOS apps are highly rated.

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Android

Practice

14 years

Projects

200+

Workforce

50+

There are award-winning Android apps in ScienceSoft’s portfolio. Among the most prominent projects is the 5-year-long development of Viber, a messaging and VoIP app for 1.8B users.

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Xamarin

Practice

11 years

Projects

85+

Workforce

10+

ScienceSoft cuts the cost of mobile projects twice by building functional and user-friendly cross-platform apps with Xamarin.

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Apache Cordova

ScienceSoft uses Cordova to create cross-platform apps and avoid high project costs that may come with native mobile development.

Progressive Web Apps

ScienceSoft takes the best from native mobile and web apps and creates the ultimate user experience in PWA.

React Native

Practice

8 years

Projects

300+

ScienceSoft reduces up to 50% of project costs and time by creating cross-platform apps that run smoothly on web, Android and iOS.

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Flutter

ScienceSoft will save you from double or even triple expenses associated with platform-specific coding by creating cross-platform apps in Flutter.

Ionic

With Ionic, ScienceSoft creates a single app codebase for web and mobile platforms and thus expands the audience of created apps to billions of users at the best cost.

Desktop

C++

Practice

34 years

Workforce

40

ScienceSoft's C++ developers created the desktop version of Viber and an award-winning imaging application for a global leader in image processing.

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Qt

Practice

4 years

Workforce

40

We used Qt to deliver a cross-platform desktop app for a global leader in image processing, a desktop version of Viber, VoIP messenger with over 1 billion users, and an anti-procrastination app acknowledged by The Daily Telegraph and BBC.

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C#

Practice

19 years

Projects

200+

Workforce

60

Our C# developers created the world’s largest PLM software. Their recent projects: development of SaaS for vCIO services management and underwriting software for a global aviation insurer.

WPF

Practice

15 years

Workforce

~40

We have delivered WPF-based solutions for a leading market research company and a global leader in image processing.

Objective-C

We use Objective-C to implement native macOS features in desktop apps.

Python

Practice

10 years

Workforce

30

We use Python for rapid development of cross-platform desktop apps.

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Databases / data storages

SQL

Microsoft SQL Server

Our Microsoft SQL Server-based projects include a BI solution for 200 healthcare centers, the world’s largest PLM software, and an automated underwriting system for the global commercial insurance carrier.

MySQL

We’ve implemented MySQL for Viber, an instant messenger with 1B+ users, and an award-winning remote patient monitoring software.

Azure SQL Database

Azure SQL Database is great for handling large volumes of data and varying database traffic: it easily scales up and down without any downtime or disruption to the applications. It also offers automatic backups and point-in-time recoveries to protect databases from accidental corruption or deletion.

Oracle

ScienceSoft's team has implemented Oracle for software products used by GSK and AstraZeneca. We’ve also delivered Oracle-based SCM platform for Auchan, a retail chain with 1,700 stores.

PostgreSQL

ScienceSoft has used PostgreSQL in an IoT fleet management solution that supports 2,000+ customers with 26,500+ IoT devices. We’ve also helped a fintech startup promptly launch a top-flight BNPL product based on PostgreSQL.

NoSQL

Apache Cassandra

Our Apache Cassandra consultants helped a leading Internet of Vehicles company enhance their big data solution that analyzes IoT data from 600,000 vehicles.

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Apache Hive

ScienceSoft has helped one of the top market research companies migrate its big data solution for advertising channel analysis to Apache Hive. Together with other improvements, this led tо 100x faster data processing.

Apache HBase

We use HBase if your database should scale to billions of rows and millions of columns while maintaining constant write and read performance.

Apache NiFi

With ScienceSoft’s managed IT support for Apache NiFi, an American biotechnology corporation got 10x faster big data processing, and its software stability increased from 50% to 99%.

MongoDB

ScienceSoft used MongoDB-based warehouse for an IoT solution that processed 30K+ events/per second from 1M devices. We’ve also delivered MongoDB-based operations management software for a pharma manufacturer.

Real-time data processing

MVP Development Costs

Custom MVP software development may cost anywhere between $40,000 and $300,000+, making up 10–50% of the total development cost. Depending on software type and complexity, MVP investments can vary as follows:

$40,000-120,000*

For a mobile MVP.

$80,000-160,000*

For a web portal MVP.

$120,000-300,000*

For a SaaS MVP.

*The estimates provided are not ScienceSoft's official pricing for minimum viable product development services. We estimate the cost of each project individually, based on our customers' specific situations and needs.

The grand total for MVP development depends on a multitude of factors. At ScienceSoft, we consider the most significant cost factors to be:

  • Application type (web, mobile, desktop); number of platforms supported (for mobile).
  • Number and complexity of features.
  • Uniqueness and complexity of design.
  • Number and complexity of integrations with third-party systems (e.g., ERP, accounting software, DMS; one-way or two-way integration).
  • MVP performance, availability, security, latent capacity and scalability requirements.
  • Necessity to maintain existing data (for custom enterprise software MVP in case of migration).

About Sciencesoft

ScienceSoft is an ISO 9001- and ISO 27001-certified global IT consulting and software development company headquartered in McKinney, Texas. With a strong focus on quality and in-depth knowledge of advanced techs, we build robust MVPs for promising startups and successful enterprises. Reach out to our team for expert consultancy or end-to-end MVP development services.