Tech Essentials: Key Terms Everyone Should Know

Welcome to Your Tech Journey!

Starting any tech project can feel like learning a whole new language. Don't worry - we're here to help you understand all those confusing words people throw around in meetings!

This week, we're breaking down 5 super important terms every non-technical person needs to know. Let's jump in!

🏃‍♀️ Agile

What it is: A way to build software bit by bit instead of all at once.

What it looks like: Your team meets every two weeks to show what they built, then decides what to work on next. Instead of waiting 6 months to see anything, you get working pieces every few weeks!

Why it matters: Agile helps your team deliver working pieces of your product every few weeks. This means you can see real progress and make changes as you go!

Real talk: Without Agile, many teams get stuck building for months with nothing to show. That's a recipe for wasted money and sad investors!

Try this: Ask your team: "What will you finish by next Friday?" Then check if they actually did it. This simple question starts building accountability.

💻 Codebase

What it is: All the code that makes your product work.

What it looks like: Many files organized in folders - like a digital filing cabinet with every piece of your application including the code instructions, images, icons, buttons, and everything else your product needs to work.

Why it matters: Your codebase is like the foundation of your house. If it's messy or poorly built, everything on top becomes shaky!

Real talk: Many founders don't realize they need to keep track of where their code is stored and who has access. This can cause huge problems later!

Try this: Ask your developer: "Where is our code stored and who else can access it?" Make sure it's not just sitting on someone's personal computer!

🎨 Prototype

What it is: A simple version of your product that shows how it will work.

What it looks like: A clickable mockup that looks like your real app but doesn't actually do anything behind the scenes. Like a movie set - it looks real from the front, but there's nothing behind the walls!

Why it matters: A good prototype helps you test your idea without spending a ton of money building the real thing.

Real talk: You can use tools like Figma to create clickable prototypes that look real but cost way less!

Try this: Before hiring developers, create a prototype and show it to potential users. Their feedback might save you from building the wrong thing!

🚀 MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

What it is: The simplest version of your product that solves the main problem.

What it looks like: Imagine you want to build a fancy restaurant. Your MVP would be a food truck that serves one amazing dish really well, not a 5-star restaurant with 100 menu items on day one.

Why it matters: An MVP gets you to market faster so you can start learning from real users.

Real talk: The biggest mistake founders make is adding too many "cool features" to their MVP. This wastes time and money on things users might not even want!

Try this: Write down the ONE problem your product solves. Then include only the features needed to fix that problem. Everything else can wait!

🗺️ Roadmap

What it is: Your plan for what features you'll build and when.

What it looks like: A visual timeline showing "Now" (what we're working on), "Next" (coming in 2-3 months), and "Later" (future ideas). Think of it like a GPS route for your product development!

Why it matters: A clear roadmap helps everyone understand what's coming next and why.

Real talk: Sharing parts of your roadmap with users makes them feel included and excited about what's coming. Tools like Canny.io can help you collect and organize feedback!

Try this: List your top 3 feature ideas on paper. Now pick just ONE to focus on first. Put the other two in a "maybe later" pile.

Want to Understand ALL the Tech Talk?

Check out our complete A-Z guide of tech terms at keiboarder.com/blog/a-to-z-tech-terms-for-first-time-founders!

Coming Next Week:

Next week, we're sharing our top 5 paid tools that are worth every penny for anyone working with tech! Sometimes free just isn't enough - these powerful tools will save you tons of time and headaches, actually paying for themselves through better products and fewer mistakes.

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! 🚀