Real Problem vs. Nice-to-Have Solution

Picture this: You have an amazing idea for an app. You're excited! Your head is spinning with all the cool features it could have. But here's the thing - if you try to build everything at once, you might run out of money before you even launch.

So how do you decide what to build first? Let's break it down into must-haves and nice-to-haves.

What's the Difference?

Must-haves are the features your product absolutely needs to work and solve your users' main problem. Without these, your product doesn't really... well, exist!

Nice-to-haves are the extra bells and whistles that make your product more fun or easier to use, but aren't necessary for solving the core problem.

How to Figure Out Your Must-Haves

1. Find Your Core Problem What big problem does your app actually fix? Write this down in one simple sentence. For example: "My app helps dog owners find last-minute pet sitters in their neighborhood." Every must-have feature should directly help solve this core problem.
2. Create Your MVP Your MVP should only include must-have features. This is the simplest version of your product that actually works.
3. Test With Real Users Once you've built only the must-haves, get it into the hands of real users. Include analytics from day one so you can see how people actually use your app.

Common Nice-to-Haves That Can Wait

These features often seem important but can usually wait until after your first launch:

• Fancy Sign-Up Process - One founder spent $80,000 building a super cool AI chat sign-up process... before creating any of their core features! A simple form works fine for version one.
• Advanced Search Filters - Start with basic search. Add fancy filters later when you know which ones users actually want.
• Multiple Payment Options - Start with one reliable payment method. Add more when you're actually making money!

When Nice-to-Haves Become Must-Haves

Sometimes what seems like a nice-to-have is actually essential. If your app is for doctors, strong privacy features aren't just nice - they're legally required. If your users are older adults, easier onboarding might be a must-have.

Avoiding the "Shiny Object" Trap

Every time you consider adding a feature, ask yourself:

• Does this directly solve our core problem?
• Can we launch successfully without it?
• Will adding this delay our launch by more than 2 weeks?

If it doesn't solve your core problem and will delay your launch, it can wait.

The Secret Weapon: A Proper Roadmap

Create a clear roadmap that separates features into must-haves for initial launch, nice-to-haves for version 2, and future ideas for later versions.

Pro tip: Use a tool like Canny to create a public roadmap that lets users vote on which features they want most. This takes the guesswork out of what to build next!

Building a tech product is like making a sandwich - you need the bread and fillings (must-haves) before worrying about fancy condiments (nice-to-haves). Start simple, get real feedback, then add the extras that users actually want.

Read more about building smart tech products

Coming Next Week:

Defining Your Core Problem Statement - The single sentence that should guide all your product decisions.

At Keiboarder, we help startups to Fortune 500 companies avoid costly software development mistakes with expert fractional CTO leadership, a clear roadmap, and a proven process to build and scale market-ready products. Get in touch with us, and let's build awesome things together! 🚀