Rushi Patel

June 9, 2024

[Tech][MVS] Selecting the right level of COMPLEXITY

MVS (Minimal Viable Solutions) way to solve problems when there's a time constraint.

When aiming to achieve an outcome, there are multiple ways to get there.

Each solution has a different level of complexity, which determines the timeline for building the feature. When deciding among different options, there are two things we need to consider:

  1. User experience trade-offs
  2. Complexity

Let's understand this with an example:

Requirement: On this website, I wanted the ability to see a specific post. Use case: Share URL on LinkedIn, so users can directly see that specific post.

In this case, I had two options:

1. Open the post in a new page:

2. Stick to the popup we already have but:

  •  Add the post_id in the URL, 
  • auto-open the popup
  • auto-scroll to that part of the screen

Comparative Analysis:

Let's compare the pros and cons for both the options:

Let's make a decision by asking these questions:

  1. Do I want to promote my site in the near future? No (not in the world of AI).
  2. Is it just for my own documentation of progress? Yes!
  3. Am I willing to compromise on disrupting the user's reading flow? No (I'm aware of how short viewers' attention spans are.)
  4. How much time do I want to spend? MINIMAL


Now, the answer is clear: the second option is the best choice!

This is a basic example, but in real client projects, such decisions can save thousands of dollars 💸💸💸. Here are key parameters to consider:

  • Gather and understand all requirements
  • Use analytics data to make informed decisions
  • Determine the urgency of the feature
  • Assess the budget
  • Evaluate the team's capacity
  • Discuss trade-offs

This helps in choosing an option with the right complexity to solve the problem—neither over- nor under-solving it.

 

We don't want to build a sword to cut vegetables!





Written by,
Rushi Patel


About Rushi Patel

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