Build the MVP

Purpose: Build a working MVP efficiently with minimal resources

Outcome: Have a working MVP that demonstrates value and enables learning

Audience: PM / Dev / Both

Time: 2-4 weeks (depending on complexity)

Prerequisites: Decide What to Build - Decision to build

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

1. Create a comprehensive plan (user stories, PRD, mockups, AI Baseline design)

2. Set up development environment and create implementation plan

3. Build features end-to-end using Cursor collaboration

4. Conduct QA and deploy MVP to production with Firebase

Jobs-to-Be-Done

• When: I have a validated idea and decision to build

• I want: To build a working MVP efficiently

• So that: I can test with real users and learn quickly

Inputs

• Decision to build from 06 — Synthesize Insights → Decision

• Validated hypotheses and learnings

• Problem statement and value proposition

• Understanding of user needs

Activities

This section follows a systematic build process:

1. 05 — Planning: Create user stories, PRD, design mockups using UX Pilot, and plan AI Baseline integration

2. 06 — Setup: Set up development environment, configure Cursor, and create comprehensive implementation plan

3. 08 — Build Features: Build features end-to-end using Cursor collaboration following the approved plan

4. 09 — Deploy: Conduct QA, set up Firebase infrastructure, and deploy MVP to production

💡 Tip: Planning must come first. After Setup, proceed directly to Build Features where Cursor will build all features including AI components according to the approved plan.

Apply It Now

Task: Assess your readiness to build

1. Do you have a decision to build?

   • Yes → Ready to proceed

   • No → Return to Decide What to Build

2. Do you have key problems identified and innovation aspects defined?

   • Yes → Ready for 05 — Planning

   • No → Return to Decide What to Build

3. Do you have access to AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, or Cursor) and UX Pilot?

   • Yes → Ready to proceed

   • No → Set up access to these tools first

Artifact: A readiness assessment showing what you need before starting

Artifacts

You'll create throughout this section:

• User stories and PRD

• UX mockups (designed journey)

• AI Baseline plan/design

• Development environment setup

• Comprehensive Cursor implementation plan

• Complete features built end-to-end

• Deployed MVP with Firebase infrastructure

Worked Example

Situation: Building MVP for retrospective tool

Process:

1. Planning: Generated user stories, created PRD, designed mockups in UX Pilot, planned AI Baseline integration

2. Setup: Set up development environment, configured Cursor, created comprehensive implementation plan

3. Build Features: Collaborated with Cursor to build features end-to-end, tested iteratively, refined until ready

4. Deploy: Conducted QA, set up Firebase infrastructure, deployed MVP to production

Time: Planning: 1.5 days, Setup: 6 hours, Building: 2 weeks, Deploy: 1.5 days

Checklist

Before starting this section, verify:

• You have a decision to build

• You have validated hypotheses and learnings

• You have key problems identified and innovation aspects defined

• You have access to AI tools and UX Pilot

• You're ready to build efficiently

Self-Assessment

1. What is the first step in the Build section?

   • Setup

   • AI Baseline

   • Planning ✓

   • Deploy

2. Where is the complete user journey designed?

   • During implementation

   • In Setup chapter

   • In UX Pilot during Planning ✓

   • After deployment

3. What happens after Setup?

   • Build Features directly ✓

   • AI Baseline first

   • Planning again

   • Deploy immediately

4. What should you have before building? (Select all)

   • Decision to build ✓

   • Validated hypotheses ✓

   • User stories, PRD, and mockups ✓

   • Complete product design

Exit Criteria

You're ready to proceed to "Launch & Iterate (Coming Soon)" when:

• You've completed all Build chapters (05-06, 08-09)

• You have a working MVP (at least thin vertical)

• You have Firebase infrastructure set up

• MVP is deployed and accessible

Dependencies & Next Steps

Prerequisites Completed

• Decide What to Build - Decision to build

Next Steps

• Start with 05 — Planning to create user stories, PRD, and mockups

• Follow chapters sequentially: Planning → Setup → Building → Deploy

What This Enables

Completing this section enables:

• Working MVP ready for testing

• Real user feedback opportunities

• Learning from actual usage

• Iteration and improvement

Related Sections

• Launch & Iterate (Coming Soon) - If MVP is ready for launch

• Decide What to Build - If you need to pivot or restart

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⚠️ Warning: Don't skip Planning. A solid PRD and mockups will save significant time during development. 💡 Tip: Quality and observability are essential even for MVP. Don't skip them. 📝 Note: The journey design happens in Planning using UX Pilot. Implementation follows in later chapters.