Outsourcing Your MVP Creation For Your Startup
Tags: startup, beginners, career, webdev
Published: 2020-09-02 14:53:20

The original post was on [Outsourcing Your MVP Creation for Your Startup - Reading Time: 3 Mins](https://www.maxongzb.com/outsourcing-your-mvp-creation-for-your-startup-reading-time-3-mins/) and cover image by [Jason Leung on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/mZNRsYE9Qi4)


# Introduction
When it comes to MVP creation, it can be quite challenging, especially if you are a non-technical founder. I would always suggest searching for a technical co-founder. 

The alternative path is to **learn** to build an MVP by tapping on low code platforms like [Webflow][1] or design software like [Xd][2] or [Figma][3] to build your initial MVP. 

This gives you a **glimpse** and **clarity** on what needs to be done to convey your understanding into technical development. While providing you with tons of feedback to refine and improve it before a single line of code is written.

# Your MVP has to Accomplish Two Objectives
The **first** objective is to gather **feedback** of your product or service. Which solves the pain point of your ideal users. The **second** is to solve the pain point with just a small list of core features. That is why it is called **Minimal Viable Product (MVP)** and not **LVP (Large Viable Product)**. 

If you don't do this work before you have an outsourcing development team onboard. It becomes a **hassle** as you try to make changes to the product or service as you get more feedback on by your users.

# Get Your Technical Documentation In Order
Your MVP has to go beyond just the **list of features** to be built & delivered by the outsourcing partner. You must always include a **maintenance & support** documentation as part of your project scope.  The documentation has to provide you on how to deploy & deliver the software. That is simple that even you can do it yourself without much difficulty. 

If you do not do it, you will be at the **mercy** of the outsourcing partner. Who will be there to charge you an **arm** and **leg** for it to **enslave** you to be **dependent** on them for future **feature changes** or **maintenance work**. 

# Price vs Cost of a Project
The rules stay the same for me when you are paying for an outsourcing partner. If you pay for **peanuts** you will get a **monkey**. The lower the price of a project, there's a higher chance. They do not have the **incentive** to treat you well or provide better support. 

Always look at the **cost** of a project, which covers the **total cost of ownership** of an MVP. Please do not look at just **price** of the project namely the **initial price** for development of the MVP. 

If not be prepared for a **rude awaking** when it comes to maintaining it or upgrading it. By looking at the **cost** of the project, you will make a better decision in selecting the right outsourcing partner. As they have a better incentive to take care of you.

# Conclusion
Please learn to adopt a strategy of either finding your own technical co-founder or DIY route by learning to build an initial MVP. By gathering feedback to solve a pain point for your ideal users. 

Always look at the **cost**, which is the **total cost of ownership** of a project. Beyond just the **initial price** of development. If you fail to do this as part of your own due diligence. I'm afraid you have yourself to **blame** for being **enslaved** by your outsourcing partner.

Lastly, are you looking to specialise yourself as a developer? If it's a Yes. I'm giving away my free ebook called ["Picking Your Specialisation as a Developer"](https://maxongzb.activehosted.com/f/5) for anyone interested to command a higher salary or do the work that you like.

# Reference
* [Webflow][1]
* [Xd][2]
* [Figma][3]
* [Startup MVP Development][4]
* [Is It Advisable to Outsource to an Agency to create Our MVP? Are My Security Concerns Unfounded?][5]
[Pitfalls Avoid Outsourcing Software Development][6]
* [6 Examples of Outsourcing Failure][7]


[1]: https://webflow.com/
[2]: https://www.adobe.com/sea/products/xd.html
[3]: https://www.figma.com/
[4]: https://www.failory.com/blog/startup-mvp-development
[5]: https://www.startups.com/community/questions/282/is-it-advisable-to-outsource-to-an-agency-to-create-our-mvp-are-my-security
[6]: https://stackoverflow.blog/2019/10/01/pitfalls-avoid-outsourcing-software-development/
[7]: https://hackernoon.com/6-examples-of-outsourcing-failure-yv223y4u