Choosing the Right MVP Development Team

Planning to launch a new product or service?

But you don't want to overinvest until you are sure your idea will stick. Don't you? 

This is where a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) comes into play. 

An MVP is the most basic version of your product that solves a core problem and delivers value to your target audience with the minimum features necessary for the idea validation. 

By focusing on essential functionalities, an MVP allows you to quickly gather feedback, make improvements, and refine the product based on real user insights, without committing to a full-scale launch.

While there is no safeguard against startup failures, adopting an MVP development approach can significantly reduce initial risk. 

However, while the focus is often on building the product itself, the success of your MVP lies in your development team. 

The right team structure, skills, and collaboration make a huge difference.

Essential Roles in an MVP Development Team

An MVP team is typically small but needs to cover all essential aspects of product development. 

Below are the core roles every MVP team should include to ensure efficiency and quality.

Product Manager

The Product Manager is the driving force behind your MVP. 

They define the product’s vision, prioritize features, and align the development team with the overall business strategy. 

They play a critical role in balancing user needs with business objectives and ensuring the MVP focuses on the right features.

They are responsible for creating the product roadmap, prioritizing features, and communicating with stakeholders and developers to ensure alignment. 

They will also use data and feedback to refine and iterate on the MVP.

The UX/UI Designer 

The UX/UI Designer focuses on user experience and interface design. 

They make sure the MVP is not only functional but also intuitive and easy to use. 

An MVP doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles, but it should provide a smooth, user-friendly experience.

They are responsible for the design of wireframes, prototypes, and user flows. 

They ensure the MVP is visually appealing and user-centric, and they will test and refine the design based on user feedback.

Developers (Frontend, Backend, and Full-Stack)

Developers are the builders of your MVP. 

Depending on the complexity of the product, the team may have specialized roles like frontend and backend developers, or they may have full-stack developers who can handle both aspects. 

The goal is to create a functioning, scalable product that can be easily updated and tested.

Even though an MVP focuses on core functionality, the quality of the product is still paramount. 

QA Tester

A QA Tester ensures the MVP is bug-free and functional across multiple platforms, identifying and resolving issues before launch. 

They will run tests across different devices and environments. Make sure the MVP meets performance standards. Track bugs and collaborate with developers to resolve them.

Marketing Specialist

While the development team focuses on building the MVP, a product needs to reach its target audience. 

Having a dedicated marketing specialist on your side will help in making sure the product resonates with the users. This will allow you to closely align with your unique insights and goals.

At globalsoft, we have a team of experts who will prioritize close collaboration across all team members to ensure your MVP meets both market needs and business goals. 

Our Product Managers guide the process to deliver measurable results early, while our designers focus on simplicity and user experience. We ensure our developers are agile, and rapidly iterating to optimize performance and scalability. 

Our QA specialists identify issues early, ensuring a stable product. 

Additionally, we work closely with your marketing specialist to integrate strategies and ensure MVP is developed according to your root idea.

Structuring Your MVP Development Team

The structure of your MVP team depends on the size of your project and the resources available. 

While larger teams may bring specialized skills, small teams can offer agility and speed. 

Here’s how we structure the development team at globalsoft, depending on your needs.

In the early stages, a small team can be highly effective. 

Small Team

A typical small team includes a product manager, full-stack developer, and UX/UI designer. 

The focus is on building a basic but functional product that tests core assumptions.

Having this team will provide faster iteration, close collaboration, and minimal overhead. 

We often recommend starting with a lean team to ensure quick decision-making and rapid product testing.

Mid-sized Team

As the MVP becomes more complex, we suggest going with a larger team to handle the increased workload. 

In this structure, we will assign separate frontend and backend developers and QA testers. This allows for more focused efforts while still maintaining agility.

This is the ideal size when we want to scale up quickly without losing the benefits of flexibility and speed.

Large Team

For larger MVPs or more complex products, a large team is required. 

We will include multiple designers, developers, testers, and project managers. 

When working with large teams, we prioritize clear communication and agile methodologies to ensure that all members are aligned and the product stays on track.

Example of an MVP Development Team

Here's a real-life example of an MVP development team assembled by globalsoft for a German-based marketing company that reached out to us for assistance in creating an MVP that will utilize AI to optimize checkout processes on large e-commerce sites.

We structured the team as follows:

• 1 Product Manager
• 1 UX/UI Designer
• 4 Backend Developers
• 2 Frontend Developers
• 1 QA Engineer

The client requested a comprehensive full-service package, and that’s exactly what we delivered.

We began with product discovery, exploring way how to transfer their vision into a successful app.

Next, we focused on designing the app’s UI and UX, tailoring it to meet user needs before moving on to development and building the MVP.

After completing the MVP, we supported the client through a successful app launch and provided ongoing maintenance and support post-launch.

In just under 6 months, we transformed their idea into a fully functional product.

3 years later, globalsoft is still helping this client with ongoing improvements.

We can do the same for you—reach out to us, and we’ll help turn your vision into reality.

How to Find the Best Developers for Your MVP?

Finding the right developers for your MVP is not just about technical skills.

It is about ensuring the development team understands the problem your MVP is solving and is committed to your vision. 

Here are key steps to ensure you're choosing the best developers for your MVP:

Clarify the Product Idea, Requirements, and Goals

Before starting the search for the MVP development team, ensure that you have a clear understanding of your MVP's core idea and value proposition.

Since an MVP should focus solely on the core version of your app, it's often hard to decide which features to include in the first version.

MVP Feature Prioritization

Luckily, there are different MVP feature prioritization frameworks, like the following:

• RICE Framework
• MoSCoW Method
• The Priority Matrix
• Kano Model
• Story Mapping

Use one or all of these feature prioritization frameworks to define what matters most to your customers. 

This allows you to communicate effectively with potential developers and ensures they grasp the purpose of the MVP.

Look for Developers Who Understand the MVP Process

The MVP approach is unique because it focuses on speed, agility, and learning from real users. 

Your goal is to publish the first version of your app as soon as possible. Gather the feedback, and improve.

Having developers who understand this process well puts you at an advantage, as they can build the app in a more flexible manner.

Look for a development team who are not only technically skilled but also understand the iterative, feedback-driven process. 

They should be comfortable working in an agile environment where flexibility is key.

Collaborate with the Right Stakeholders

Finding the right development team means collaborating with key stakeholders in your organization. 

This includes your internal team, product managers, designers, and marketing professionals. A collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of the MVP align and no critical insights are missed.

Our cross-functional teams at globalsoft integrate various stakeholders into the MVP development process, ensuring that every aspect, from design to marketing is covered. 

This collaboration leads to more successful MVPs that meet both user and your business needs.

Prioritize Communication Skills

MVP development is an inherently collaborative process. Developers need to work closely with designers, product managers, and marketing specialists. 

Therefore, strong communication skills are as important as technical expertise. 

Choose developers who can explain their process, offer feedback, and contribute to problem-solving discussions.

At the end of the day, you don't want a bunch of yes-men helping work with you. 

It's essential that your development team helps you advise you on the right decisions. 

Focus on Flexibility and Adaptability

The nature of MVPs means that the scope and requirements can change quickly based on user feedback and business priorities. 

Look for developers who are flexible and capable of adjusting quickly without compromising the quality of their work.

Our team at globalsoft helps clients define their product vision, distill their ideas into clear, actionable goals, and then build an MVP roadmap that aligns with both business objectives and user needs. 

Our development team is experienced in taking ideas from concept to execution quickly, allowing you to validate your products and gather real-world feedback without committing to large-scale development.

Tips for Building a High-Performance MVP Development Team

To build an effective MVP development team, focus on these key best practices:

Hire for Flexibility and Agility

MVP development requires flexibility. Hire a development team who are comfortable with rapid changes and can pivot quickly based on feedback.

Prioritize Communication

Clear communication is the cornerstone of a successful MVP development process. 

Regular check-ins and using the right project management tools ensure everyone is aligned.

At globalsoft, we use collaborative platforms like Jira and Slack to ensure our team is always in sync, and project timelines are adhered to.

Focus on the Right Skills

Look for an agency or development team who have experience building MVPs and can prioritize speed and efficiency. This will help you avoid unnecessary delays and focus on the product’s core value.

Embrace Rapid Prototyping

Speed is essential in MVP development. 

Use tools like Figma, Sketch, or InVision to create rapid prototypes that can be tested with real users quickly.

MVP Development Services

Looking for a reliable and easy-to-communicate MVP development team?

Talk to Zorica, Our MVP Expert

Insights From globalsoft's HR Officer Martina Bezer

"If we carefully selected developers for our own team, you can trust they're the best choice for your MVP too."

- Martina Bezer

In conclusion, assembling the right MVP development team is one of the most critical decisions you will make in your product journey. 

By focusing on core roles, maintaining agility, and following best practices, you can create an MVP that resonates with users and lays the groundwork for future product success.

Ready to build your MVP? 

With an average employee tenure of 4.5 years, globalsoft boasts an impressive 4.7-star rating on Glassdoor, a platform where current and former employees provide anonymous company reviews.

Contact globalsoft today to get started with a team of experts who can help you turn your idea into reality.