How to Define Your MVP Features Without Over-Engineering

The Feature Trap

Every founder thinks their product needs "just one more feature" before launch. This is the feature trap, and it kills more startups than competition ever will.

The 80/20 Rule of MVPs

80% of your value will come from 20% of your features. Your job is to find that 20% and ship it.

Framework: The Must-Have Test

For each feature, ask:

**Can users achieve the core goal without it?**

**Will users pay for it specifically?**

**Does it differentiate you from alternatives?**

If you answer "no" to all three, cut it.

The Priority Matrix

Must Have (Ship Now)

Features without which the product doesn't work

Core value proposition elements

Should Have (Version 1.1)

Features that enhance the core experience

Common user requests

Nice to Have (Later)

Polish and optimization

Edge case handling

Won't Have (Maybe Never)

Features for imaginary users

Competitor feature matching

Real Example: Airbnb MVP

The original Airbnb MVP had:

Photos of the space

Host information

A way to book

It didn't have:

Reviews

Messaging system

Payment processing (they used PayPal)

Mobile app

Techniques for Feature Prioritization

1. User Story Mapping

Map the minimum journey a user needs to complete.

2. Fake Door Testing

Add buttons for features you haven't built. Measure clicks.

3. Customer Interviews

Ask what they'd pay for, not what they'd like.

The Golden Rule

When in doubt, leave it out. You can always add features. Removing them is much harder.

MVPgo