Concepts
As a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), it is essential to understand how to identify small, usable, and valuable increments. In this article, we will explore two pragmatic methods to break down complex requirements into minuscule yet beneficial product features. These methods are Minimal Viable Product (MVP) and Minimal Marketable Features (MMF).
I. MVP – Minimal Viable Product
The MVP is a product development technique where new products or websites are developed with sufficient features to satisfy early adopters. The final, complete set of features is only designed and developed after considering feedback from the product’s initial users.
Here’s the process of how the MVP model works:
- Hypothesis: Before development starts, a hypothesis of what might work is created
- Product development: The product, a basic version, is then created
- Measure: User responses are then measured as feedback
- Learn: Based on the feedback received, learning about what worked and what doesn’t is obtained
- Build: Develop the next increment of the product based on leanings
- Repeat: This cycle continues and keeps on improving the product incrementally based on user feedback
For example, Dropbox started as an MVP. It began with a simple demonstration of the concept via video. This video generated enough interest, proving the hypothesis that people desired a more straightforward approach to file sharing. Feedback from this MVP allowed Dropbox to refine their product into the successful platform it is today.
II. MMF – Minimal Marketable Features
Minimal Marketable Features are the smallest possible features or service increments that have an inherent market value. In the MMF method, the product is broken down into the smallest possible components that can independently provide value to a customer. These can then be incrementally delivered, each piece driving value on its own.
Here’s the process on how MMF works:
- Identify a small feature: Start with major features and break these down into smaller parts
- Develop: The small feature is then developed independently
- Introduce to market: This independent feature is then introduced to the market on its own
- Measure & learn: Measure usefulness based on customer reviews and learn from it
- Build: Develop the next independent feature based on learning
- Repeat: This cycle continues until all independent “Market” features are available
As an example, think of a photo-editing application. The application’s main features could be cropping, adjusting brightness, adding filters, and sharing to social media. In the MMF approach, each of these features would be built and released incrementally. Perhaps the cropping feature would be built and released first, as it provides immediate value on its own. Over time, other features will be developed and introduced, expanding the application’s functionality based on customer feedback.
Comparisons:
| MVP | MMF | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | To learn whether an idea is viable | To continuously deliver value to customers |
| Size | Bigger than MMF (includes more functionalities) | Smaller than MVP (just one functionality) |
| Focus | Learning from users and improving | Earning from customers as early as possible |
In conclusion, both the MVP and MMF approaches are significant in Agile Product Development for a CSPO. MVP allows learning and improving based on customer feedback while MMF enables you to start providing value as early as possible. Both methods allow you to develop a product in a manner that reduces risks and increases the likelihood of building a product that resonates with the end users.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach is used to identify small, valuable, and usable increments.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The MVP approach allows teams to develop a product with just enough features to satisfy initial users and provide feedback for future development.
Which of the following is NOT a common approach to identify small, valuable, and usable increments?
- A. Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- B. User Stories
- C. Incremental implementation
- D. Non-functionality requirements
Answer: D. Non-functionality requirements.
Explanation: Non-functionality requirements are important for overall product development but not directly involved in identifying small, valuable, and usable increments.
True or False: User stories help in identifying small, valuable, and usable increments by focusing on end-user functionality.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: User stories emphasize on understanding the end user needs and creating small increments that provide value and functionality to them.
In software development, what does Vertical Slice mean?
- A. A fully functional and incremental part of a feature
- B. A non-functional increment
- C. A part of software that performs a specific function
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. A fully functional and incremental part of a feature
Explanation: A vertical slice in software terms is a complete increment that serves a specific feature from the start to end.
Which of the following holds true for Utilizing the INVEST principles?
- A. They ensure that backlog items are small and functional
- B. They maximize user value
- C. They achieve traceable progress
- D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
Explanation: The INVEST principles (Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, Testable) ensure that the increments are independent, valuable and easily traceable.
True or False: The MVP approach always requires a final and perfect product.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The MVP approach focuses on delivering a basic version of the product that performs the essential functions.
What is the primary aim of the Incremental delivery approach?
- A. Rapid Feedback
- B. Quality Assurance
- C. Cost Reduction
- D. Time Management
Answer: A. Rapid Feedback
Explanation: Incremental delivery aims at receiving quick feedback by delivering small usable parts of the product.
True or False: Small, valuable, and usable increments are identified with the aim to provide the least value to the user.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: These increments are identified with the intent to deliver maximum value to the users in small, manageable parts.
The prioritized Product Backlog assists in ———.
- A. Identifying valuable increments
- B. Ensuring the increments are usable
- C. Focusing on small increments
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: A prioritized Product Backlog aids in identifying small, valuable, and usable increments that can be worked upon.
True or False: The Role-feature-reason template is an essential tool for developing user stories.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The role-feature-reason template is vital in creating user stories as it highlights the user type, the functionality needed and reason for that functionality.
In the context of CSPO, what does the term ‘increment’ refer to?
- A. A small, usable part of the product
- B. A large, complete part of the product
- C. A non-functional part of the product
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. A small usable part of the product
Explanation: In CSPO, increment refers to a small, working part of the product that can be used to get feedback and enhance product value.
True or False: Only one approach should be followed to identify small, valuable, and usable increments.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Multiple approaches like MVP, user stories, incremental implementation, etc. can be efficiently combined to identify these increments.
Great post! I’m preparing for my CSPO exam and this information is really helpful.
One approach I’ve been using to identify small increments is to focus on user stories that provide immediate value.
I prefer the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) approach to identify valuable increments. It helps to validate ideas quickly with minimum effort.
Thanks for the informative article!
Slicing user stories by functionality is another useful technique. It helps in delivering meaningful increments.
Interesting read! It’s always a challenge to find the balance between value and usability.
I think it’s also important to involve stakeholders when defining increments. Their input often highlights what’s truly valuable.
Thanks for sharing this!