Not an MVP

Colleagues,

MVP.
 
Minimally Viable Product (or process).
 
The basic idea is that it is better to have an imperfect thing now than a perfect one later.
 
It makes sense, but actually producing an MVP can be emotionally taxing.
 
The past two days I have made an appeal for educational leaders to help me test a new framework on the four patterns of teacher observation (last call for the pilot – email me here if interested).
 
Prior to making these appeals I recorded a six-part, 45-minute video teaching the ins and outs of the concept. At the beginning of the video, I said, “this is an MVP.”
 
But I spent hours making the visuals perfect, animating slides, and rehearsing my words. As I type this, Lance is editing the video and adding fancy transitions.
 
What we have produced is not an MVP. It isn’t a perfect end product, but it is not an MVP either.
 
An MVP would have been better because I could have deployed it sooner. If my idea is garbage, then I have wasted time and energy. Not just mine, but other people’s as well.
 
Reflect on this:

• Were there tasks this week for which an MVP would have sufficed?
• Did you invest precious time making it better than an MVP?
• Why?
• How can you help yourself do less next time?

 
If you have a good answer to the last bullet, please share – I need help! 🤣
 
Cheers!
 
Frederick