The Era of MVP is Over.
Translated by GPT
The Era of MVP is Over.
Recently, there have been claims that theories considered as the gospel for startups over the past decade are no longer effective. A prime example is Sam Altman, who has suggested that the advice and blog posts he shared while running YC may no longer be useful.
Initially, ChatGPT was not aimed at commercial success, yet it became a product used by many, indicating that the methodologies used by existing tech companies are now outdated. Unlike before, customer expectations have risen, and the technological moat has disappeared with the advent of AI.
Therefore, I think we might be entering the era of the Minimum Lovable Product. In Korean, it might translate to something like “Minimum Delightful Product.” It’s the concept of developing with a focus on UI or design that can impress customers.
For example, if you think about creating a chat app, the answer becomes clear. With an MVP, you would invest in features that provide value compared to other chat apps, but the concept of MLP goes beyond simple value provision to include interaction and a seamless user experience. It requires a cycle of defining customer segments and testing the minimal elements that the defined customers would love.
We are in an era where details have become crucial. I believe Apple’s dominance at the top of the world is due to its attention to detail. Of course, if a company deals with hardware, it must be strong in detail to survive, but the story is different for software. This is because there is a tendency to think it’s okay to miss small details and postpone fixing them anytime.
We have entered an era where convenience-driven development methods no longer work. Now, with AI, we can create new features at a faster pace than before. I believe we need to create products that customers can love. Beyond providing value, we must evoke emotional responses and solidify the brand’s fan base.