You Could Be the Next Big App Creator! Start with the Basics—Find Your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Guido’s workshop made the journey from idea conceptualisation to the actual app launch less complex for students by breaking it down into clear steps—an approach that aligns perfectly with the hands-on learning found in top business studies and masters programmes.

 

1. Define Your Goals

In the very first step, ask yourself: ´What problem am I solving? What do I want to achieve?These goals have to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound). Each goal has to have specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to  measure its success.

Let’s take, for instance, the case of someone who wants to create a social app for lego builders.  A SMART goal can be to ¨reach 1,000 active users who each post at least one build within the first three months.¨

 

2. Conduct Market Research & Competitor Analysis

As part of Goals Definition, you need to validate your idea with real data: surveys, interviews, and competitor research. Ensure there’s a genuine market need before investing time and resources. Look at existing solutions and identify gaps in the services that they offer.

From the previous example on lego builders, surveys might show that LEGO enthusiasts feel existing platforms are too general, and they crave a dedicated space for their hobby.

 

3. Define Your Feature List

This is the beginning of ´Features Definition.´ List out all the functionalities your app could have. Prioritize features that are absolutely essential for your MVP—everything else can wait for future updates. Have you heard of the term “scope creep?” In project management, it refers to the gradual, uncontrolled expansion of a project’s scope beyond what was initially agreed upon. In this case, avoid ´feature creep´  by focusing only on what your app truly needs to work.

For the LEGO  builders app, MVP features might include user profiles, photo uploads, tagging by category, and a like/comment system.

 

4. Define Requirements

This is where the analytical definition of each feature comes in. Specify exactly what each feature should do. Requirements should align with your goals and guide the development process. 

For example, one feature should answer to the requirement ¨As a user, I want to upload images of my LEGO builds with a title and description¨ or another one to  ¨see a feed of builds posted by people I follow.¨ Being precise with these requirements will pave the way for a seamless development. 

 

5. Map the User Journey with Wireframes

Create rough sketches or digital wireframes to visualize how users will interact with your app. Remember, it does not have to be formal nor a detailed rendition of the app’s user interface. In most cases, as you progress into the later steps, the mockup might even be slightly different from the final app. Tools like Figma, Miro, MarvelApp, Moqups, or even hand-drawn sketches are perfect at this stage.

 

After the features definition phase, your MVP should be clearly represented through these mockups. Understanding the different types of MVPs can help you choose the best way to validate your app idea with minimal resources and maximum learning—an essential skill for anyone pursuing business education at an international business school.

 

Landing Page MVP: A single web page designed to test user interest before any actual development, using tools like Carrd, Flycricket, and Squarespace.

 

Visual MVP: Uses prototypes or mockups (Figma, MarvelApp, AdobeXD) to visually represent your app.

 

Skeleton MVP: A bare-bones, functional version that tests the core workflow with real users, often built with Buildfire or Bubble.io.

 

Full MVP: A more developed version containing all essential features plus some enhancements, requiring low to no code or regular development.

 

Single-feature MVP or Proof of Concept (PoC): Focuses on just one core functionality to validate the central feature and iterate quickly.

After working on your MVP, you’ll proceed to technical definition and development phases:

 

6. Decide on the type of app (web, mobile, hybrid)

7. Specify UX/UI details

8. Identify technical specifications

9. Set measurable milestones

10. Implement your app

11. Perform quality assurance tests

12. Deploy!

Now that your app’s first version is ready, work on a strategy to promote it through relevant channels and gather user feedback. Plan for maintenance and future development based on real user data.

 

While technical skills are important, understanding the business side of app creation is crucial for long-term success. Business education—especially from an international business school—teaches you how to:

• Identify market opportunities and customer needs.
• Develop a sustainable business model.
• Market your app effectively.
• Manage finances, intellectual property, and growth strategies.

Business education also fosters critical thinking, resilience, and adaptability—traits every entrepreneur needs to navigate the fast-changing tech landscape. These are core components of any reputable masters programme or business studies curriculum.