User-Centric design enables the continuous delivery of value to users. This means that putting a good, functional, tool in the hands of users quickly is more valuable than delivering a perfect tool when it's too late.
Design Thinking accomplishes this by establishing the boundaries of the product early through the definition of the Minimum Viable Product, or MVP. Once the MVP is delivered, the team continues to iterate on the solution, incrementally improving and enhancing it by leveraging continuous feedback from users and stakeholders.
The Minimum Viable Product is a product version delivered with just enough features to satisfy early adopters and elicit feedback for future development. The Minimum Viable Product should satisfy the following conditions:
- Has sufficient value to attract early adopters
- Demonstrates enough value to retain these users
- Establishes a feedback loop to guide future development
Eric Ries has defined the MVP as "that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort."
There are three factors to be considered when establishing the MVP:
- Desirability - what does the user need?
- Viability - what is is the business case for the product?
- Feasibility - what is technically & financially feasible?
In Design Thinking, human-centered design begins with Desirability. The convergence of user need, business viability, and technical & financial feasibility outlines the solution.