שִׁוִּ֬יתִי יְהֹוָ֣ה לְנֶגְדִּ֣י תָמִ֑יד
In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, speed is critical. Startups are typically built on innovation and the need to test new ideas quickly. Yet, many entrepreneurs find themselves in an unexpected struggle—launching their Proof of Concept (POC) or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) takes far longer than anticipated. Why does this happen so often, and how can it be avoided?
The Role of Software Houses: High Tech, Low Entrepreneurial Insight
Early-stage startups often turn to software houses for help, and understandably so. These firms are packed with technical talent, offering expertise in the latest technologies, best practices, and cutting-edge tools. However, many of these firms lack one crucial component: a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
While software houses are fantastic at writing clean code, following best practices, and ensuring scalability, they often operate as though they’re building for established businesses. In doing so, they focus on long-term solutions rather than the immediate goals of early-stage startups.
Technologically, doing everything "by the book" is usually a safe bet—except when speed and efficiency are paramount. For entrepreneurs trying to launch their MVP, following a rigid product roadmap can create unnecessary roadblocks. Software houses often insist on perfecting every aspect of the project, both in terms of technology and product development, leading to delayed launches and frustrated entrepreneurs.
One of the biggest dangers during this phase is scope creep. Entrepreneurs, many of whom lack technical experience, often fail to recognize when their project is ballooning beyond the initial plan. As new features are added and the project grows, the timeline extends, and costs increase. Without the knowledge to spot and stop this scope creep, entrepreneurs find themselves heading down a never-ending road, with a launch date nowhere in sight.
Three major areas where startups frequently overcommit are cybersecurity, scalability, and infrastructure.
Overemphasis on cybersecurity: While security is important, many startups worry excessively about potential threats that they may not encounter for years, investing resources that could be better spent elsewhere.
Scalability: Building with future scale in mind is valuable, but not at the cost of launching. Startups often make the mistake of preparing for millions of users when their MVP will likely have a much smaller initial audience.
Infrastructure choices: Some entrepreneurs are quick to deploy on complex platforms like AWS, when leaner, simpler options could work just as well. These choices add layers of complexity and cost, both in time and money, when the goal should be to get a functional product in front of users as quickly as possible.
Perhaps the most critical issue is missing launch deadlines. In the entrepreneurial world, time is often the most valuable resource. Every day a startup spends tweaking features or adding complexity is another day without user feedback, market validation, or revenue generation. Successful startups know that their first product doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to be functional. Early feedback is invaluable for iteration, pivoting, and refining the business model.
The solution to these issues is a shift in mindset. Entrepreneurs need to embrace a leaner, more agile approach. Rather than striving for perfection, they should focus on getting a product to market that addresses the core problem they want to solve. The goal should be to test assumptions quickly, gather real-world feedback, and iterate based on that feedback.
Working with software houses that understand this lean approach—firms that prioritize MVP launches and understand the startup ecosystem—is key. These teams can help entrepreneurs avoid scope creep, keep an eye on launch deadlines, and ensure that the project stays on track without unnecessary overengineering.
Launching a POC or MVP is tough, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as many entrepreneurs make it. By recognizing the traps of scope creep, overengineering, and rigid adherence to "best practices," entrepreneurs can streamline their launch process and bring their ideas to market faster. In today’s fast-moving landscape, speed is often the difference between success and failure. Choose your partners wisely, focus on launching rather than perfecting (LDD - Launch Driven Development), and you’ll set your startup on the path to success.
