MVP Workshops
MVP Workshops — How to Plan and Run Them Effectively?
An effective MVP workshop is a one- to multi-day session where the team jointly defines the minimum set of features that solve the user's core problem, prioritizes them using MoSCoW or an Impact/Effort matrix, and ends with a concrete action plan. A well-run workshop protects against the most common mistake — overloading the first version of a product with features it doesn't need yet.
Book a workshopWhat is an MVP in the context of workshops?
An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) combines three aspects: market desirability, technical feasibility, and business viability. An MVP workshop is a structured session where the product team jointly decides what goes into the first version.
Goals of an MVP workshop:
- Defining the minimum feature set that solves the core problem
- Prioritizing features by business value and effort
- Setting measurable success metrics
- Creating a post-MVP roadmap
- Building shared understanding across the team
How do you plan an MVP workshop step by step?
Before the workshop: define the goal and expected outcomes, identify key participants (business, UX, tech, marketing), prepare materials, book a space, send the agenda in advance.
| Stage | Duration | Goal | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro and warm-up | 30 min | Present goals, break the ice | Presentation, icebreaker exercises |
| Understanding the problem | 60 min | Define the problem and user needs | Personas, empathy maps, interviews |
| Brainstorming | 90 min | Generate feature ideas | Sticky notes, whiteboards |
| Prioritization | 60 min | Select key MVP features | MoSCoW matrix, Impact/Effort |
| Prototyping | 120 min | Sketches or MVP prototypes | Paper, prototyping tools |
| Action plan | 60 min | Next steps and ownership | Action plan template, timeline |
Participants: key — Product Owner, UX/UI Designer, developers/architects, business representative, marketing. Optional — client representatives, data analysts, Scrum Master.
How do you prioritize features in an MVP workshop?
MoSCoW method — categorize: Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have.
Impact/Effort matrix — four quadrants: high impact/low effort (priority), high impact/high effort (important), low impact/low effort (quick wins), low impact/high effort (skip).
| Prototype type | Tools | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Cards, markers, sticky notes | Early concept stage |
| Digital lo-fi | Figma, Sketch, Miro | After initial validation |
| Interactive | InVision, Adobe XD, Axure | Before starting development |
| Coded MVP | Web frameworks, no-code | Final validation before full build |
Assumption-testing techniques: usability tests, user interviews, A/B testing, competitive analysis, fake door testing.
How do we build MVPs at Codari?
For our own products, we follow the same rule as in client workshops: start with one feature that solves a real problem, not a full wishlist. Scope expands only after the first version has actually validated assumptions with real users — not based on what "would be nice to have."
What are the most common mistakes in MVP workshops?
Planning: an overly ambitious agenda, unclear goals, poor participant selection, insufficient material prep.
Facilitation: one person dominating the discussion, no timeboxing, ignoring conflict, not documenting decisions.
Defining the MVP:
- 1Feature creep adding features "just in case".
- 2Perfectionism chasing an ideal product instead of a minimal working one.
- 3Ignoring user feedback relying only on internal team opinions.
- 4No measurable success criteria.
- 5Too technical a focus centering on technology instead of the user's problem.
Ready-made MVP workshop templates
Field-tested materials, ready to download:
MVP workshop agenda templateUser persona templateMoSCoW prioritization matrixLean CanvasMVP hypothesis templateFull workshop template pack
FAQ
Let's talk
Let's build
something great.
Do you have a vision you want to bring to life? Or perhaps you need support in growing your business? Trust the experts at Codari!
What do you gain?
- IT solutions tailored to your needs.
- Direct support from our experienced specialists.
- Ideas that drive your success.
Your journey to digital transformation starts here!