Struggling to decide which features to include in your MVP? You’re not alone. Many founders feel overwhelmed, unsure which features to prioritise and afraid of either overbuilding or missing the mark. A well-scoped MVP focuses on solving a clear problem with just enough functionality to validate your idea.
In this guide, we’ll explore actionable steps to prioritise features, avoid scope creep, and deliver a focused product that gets results.
Why Scoping MVP Features Correctly is Essential
An MVP isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about solving a specific problem while minimising risk.
- Dropbox started by solving file syncing between devices, leaving collaboration tools for later.
- Airbnb launched with basic room listings and booking functionality. Reviews and payments came after validation.
- Instagram began as a bloated app but pivoted to focus solely on photo sharing.
Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, explains:
"Your MVP is the version of a product that allows you to collect the maximum amount of validated learning with the least effort."
By scoping your MVP correctly, you can launch faster, gather real feedback, and iterate based on user needs—not guesses.
5 Steps to Scope MVP Features Without Scope Creep
1. Define the Core Problem
Before building anything, ask yourself: What is the single problem this product solves? If you can’t answer that clearly, you’re not ready to start.
Example: Dropbox
Dropbox focused on solving the problem of accessing files across devices. This clarity allowed them to validate their product with just one feature.
Checklist for Evaluating Your Core Problem:
- Is the problem specific?
- Does the problem affect a well-defined audience?
- Is the problem urgent or painful enough to solve?
Action Step: Write down the core problem your product solves in one sentence. If it feels vague, refine it further.
2. Prioritise Features That Solve the Core Problem
Once you’ve defined the problem, brainstorm potential features. Then rank them by how essential they are to solving that problem.
Example: Airbnb
Airbnb’s MVP included room listings and bookings. Messaging, reviews, and payment options were added later, based on early user feedback.
Use the MoSCoW Framework to Prioritise Features:
- Must-haves: Essential features to solve the problem.
- Should-haves: Valuable but not critical for the MVP.
- Could-haves: Nice-to-have extras that can wait.
- Won’t-haves: Features explicitly out of scope for now.
Action Step: Categorise your features into these buckets and focus solely on the must-haves for your MVP.
3. Deliver a Polished MVP Without Overbuilding
Minimal doesn’t mean sloppy. Your MVP should still feel professional and deliver a smooth user experience.
Tools to Help:
- Figma: Quickly design a clean and intuitive UI.
- Bubble or Webflow: Build simple MVPs without coding.
- Typeform: Collect user feedback post-launch.
Example: Buffer
Buffer’s MVP was a landing page describing their social scheduling tool. Users clicked “Sign Up” and entered their email, validating interest before the product was built.
Action Step: Focus on simplicity. Test your core features first, and polish the user experience within those constraints.
4. Avoid Scope Creep by Setting Clear Boundaries
Scope creep happens when "just one more feature" turns into a never-ending project. Preventing it starts with clear boundaries.
How to Stay Focused:
- Create a list of features that are explicitly out of scope for your MVP.
- Set a deadline and stick to it.
- Save extra ideas in a backlog for future iterations.
Example: Slack
Slack started as a simple team messaging tool. Integrations and bots came later, driven by user feedback.
Action Step: Write down what your MVP will NOT include. Review this list regularly to avoid expanding the scope.
5. Use Feedback to Guide Future Features
Your MVP isn’t the final product—it’s the starting point for learning. Once it’s live, focus on how users interact with it and what they need next.
Example: Instagram
Instagram began with features like check-ins and gamification, but feedback showed users cared most about photo sharing. The team doubled down on that.
Simple Feedback Tools:
- Hotjar: Visualise user interactions with heatmaps.
- Mixpanel: Analyse user behaviour and engagement.
- Google Forms: Collect qualitative feedback from users.
Action Step: Track how users interact with your MVP and prioritise improvements based on their behaviour and feedback.
What Not to Do
- Don’t Overthink Edge Cases: Focus on solving the problem for most users first.
- Don’t Build for Everyone: Start small with a specific audience.
- Don’t Skip Validation: Test early to ensure you’re solving the right problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is an MVP?
A: An MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, is the simplest version of a product that solves a specific problem and allows you to validate your idea with real users.
Q2: How do I prioritise features for an MVP?
A: Use frameworks like MoSCoW to categorise features into must-haves, should-haves, could-haves, and won’t-haves. Focus on the must-haves first.
Q3: Can an MVP still look polished?
A: Yes. Tools like Figma and Webflow make it easy to deliver a clean, professional product without overcomplicating the build.
Q4: How do I avoid scope creep?
A: Define what’s out of scope early on. Stick to your initial plan and use a backlog to save ideas for future iterations.
Q5: How long does it take to build an MVP?
A: Depending on complexity, an MVP can take 4–12 weeks. Focus on solving the core problem with essential features.
Ready to Scope Your MVP?
Scoping your MVP doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At ViaLabs, we specialise in helping founders like you prioritise features, avoid scope creep, and launch faster.
→ Book a Free MVP Scoping Call
Let’s make your MVP simple, focused, and impactful.
Conclusion: Focus on What Matters
Scoping an MVP isn’t about doing less work—it’s about doing the right work. Solve one problem, launch quickly, and use feedback to guide your next steps.
As Paul Graham of Y Combinator says, “Start small. Focus on a niche. If it works, you can always expand.”
Ready to take the next step? Let’s scope your MVP together.
