My experience with MVPs and Technical Documentation

Back when I was training as a full stack software developer, one thing that really stuck with me was the emphasis on comprehensive documentation. We're not just talking about a quick README file that says "here's how to install this thing" - we're talking about comprehensive and well documented information on a project.

The technical documentation I learned to create (some call it a Software Design Document or Technical Specification) became my roadmap for every project. This documentation covered:

• Project objectives and rationale - The "why" behind everything we were building

• User stories and epics - Breaking down exactly who would use the product and what they needed

• Site structure and user flows - Mapping the journey from A to Z

• Database structure - How all that precious data would be organised

• UX/UI design decisions - Making sure it wasn't just functional, but actually pleasant to use

• Testing protocols - Because nobody wants a product that crashes after 100 users join.

• Tech stack and deployment strategies - The building blocks and how they'd come together

• Future implementations - Planning for version 2.0 before 1.0 was even live

This documentation wasn't just busywork - it became the blueprint that guided every line of code.

Building Real Products That Solved Real Problems

In my training, project four and five were created as minimal viable products (MVPs). One was a social network called Our Spot (which has since evolved into the product showyourspot.com). The other was an e-commerce platform called Poster Palace.

With Our Spot, I started with a simple question: how could I create a digital space where communities could genuinely connect? The MVP focused on core social features - profiles, posts, and community spaces - but the documentation outlined how I will expand into becoming a more comprehsive social network with a marketplace/advertising features, and deeper personalisation.

Poster Palace is an ecommerce store specialising in selling large posters. The MVP needed to nail the basics of e-commerce: product listings, secure checkout, and order tracking. The documentation mapped out the product categorisation structure, payment processing flow, and inventory management system before I wrote a single line of code.

The Founders Who Win Don't Build Perfect Products

Here's something I've learned along the way: the most successful founders aren't the ones with perfect products. They're the ones who build quickly and learn faster.

That's why I'm so passionate about helping entrepreneurs bring their digital product ideas to life with focused MVP development. My approach is designed to help you validate your concept and start collecting user feedback.

Whether you're dreaming of building a SaaS application, an online marketplace, a learning platform, or a community site, that comprehensive documentation becomes your north star. It helps define exactly what features provide value, what can wait for version 2.0, and how all the pieces fit together.

How I Can Help You Bring Your Idea to Life

Having been through the MVP journey multiple times now, during my training and now for my own products, I can help others navigate this process:

• We'll define your MVP scope so you're focusing on what's essential for launch

• I'll create those all-important wireframes and documentation that visualise your idea

• We'll plan your development sprints using agile methodology so you're always making progress

• For select projects, I can even build simple MVPs using Django, Python, and modern front-end technologies

Remember, the goal isn't perfection - it's creating something valuable enough to test your assumptions and start the feedback loop. Then we iterate, improve, and grow.

Ready to bring your idea to life? Let's chat about your MVP needs in a free 20-minute consultation.

P.S. When I'm not helping clients with their MVPs, I'm also providing Tech VA services to handle the technical aspects of online marketing, so entrepreneurs can focus on what they do best. From content creation to funnel optimization, I'm here to make technology work for you, not against you.