Introduction
You have a great idea, but the clock is ticking. Five weeks to validate, design, and ship a usable MVP can feel daunting. The key isn’t to chase perfection; it’s to de-risk the riskiest assumptions, deliver early value, and build a learning loop that keeps momentum long after launch. Below is a practical week-by-week playbook you can adapt to your team, budget, and domain.
Week-by-Week Roadmap
Week 1 — Define Problem and Opportunity
Clarify the core problem in one sentence. If you can’t articulate it clearly, you’re still solving the wrong problem.Identify 2-3 target users. Build basic personas: who they are, what they struggle with, what success looks like.Map the user journey from discovery to value. Where do they stumble? Where do they gain value most quickly?Establish success metrics. Examples: time-to-value, activation rate, or a 2- to 3-step primary task completion rate.Create a lightweight problem-solution hypothesis and a simple Lean Canvas or value proposition map.Deliverables you want by the end of Week 1:
Problem statement and value proposition2–3 user personas and their primary jobs-to-be-doneA one-page user journey with key friction points2–3 success metrics tied to the core risk you’re addressingTips:
Timebox discovery to 1–2 hours per day. If you’re solo, do a few structured interviews; if you have a team, split research and synthesis tasks.Don’t overbuild at this stage. Keep scope tiny but meaningful; you’ll expand later if validation supports it.Week 2 — Validate and Prioritize MVP Scope
Conduct 8–12 user interviews or surveys focused on the problem and your proposed solution. Seek signals about willingness to pay, importance, and urgency.Synthesize findings quickly. Look for patterns: common pain points, must-have features, and deal-breakers.Define your MVP scope using MoSCoW: Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have.Draft a prioritized backlog of 4–6 features (or 2–3 user flows) that unlock the core value.Sketch user flows and wireframes for the Must Have features.Deliverables:
Validated problem-solution fit with qualitative signalsMVP backlog prioritized by Must/Should/CouldWireframes or app flows for the Must Have featuresTips:
Guard against feature creep. The MVP is about learning, not showing off capabilities.Turn negative feedback into an opportunity: what if users tolerate a workaround? Use those insights to refine the core flow.Week 3 — Architecture, Stack, and Build Plan
Decide on a lean, scalable tech stack that aligns with your team’s skills and timeline (for many teams, cross-platform front-ends plus a lightweight backend works best).Outline a simple architecture: frontend, API layer, data store, and authentication. Define data models and API contracts.Set up your development workflow: version control, CI/CD, and a lightweight testing plan.Create a concrete build plan: assign 2–3 sprints to deliver the Must Have features, plus a plan for smoke tests.Deliverables:
Tech stack rationale and architecture sketchAPI contracts and data model diagramsSprint plan with milestones and acceptance criteriaTips:
Favor modular design and clear interfaces. It makes future iteration cheaper.Build in basic analytics events to understand how users engage with the Must Have features.Week 4 — Build Core Features and Quality Assurance
Develop the Must Have features end-to-end. Prioritize a clean, stable core flow (authentication, onboarding, core task, core value delivery).Implement basic quality assurance: smoke tests, manual QA, and accessibility checks.Iterate on UX based on early feedback. Keep visuals simple but coherent.Prepare lightweight data privacy controls: minimal data collection, clear consent, secure defaults.Deliverables:
Working core features with a coherent user flowInitial QA pass and accessibility basicsA small, representative set of user feedback notesTips:
Ship small, test often. A quick, continuous-feedback loop reduces risk and helps you pivot faster.Document decisions as you go; it saves time in investor conversations and handoffs.Week 5 — Polish, Measure, and Prepare for Launch
Run a targeted usability test with 5–10 users outside your core circle. Observe real-world use and note friction points.Fix the top 2–3 issues that most hinder adoption or confuse users.Polish onboarding and essential UX; ensure the primary task can be completed in 2–3 steps.Create a lightweight launch plan: what channels, what messaging, and what assets (screenshots, a short explainer video, etc.).Define post-launch metrics and a simple feedback loop: how you’ll collect insights, iterate, and scale.Deliverables:
A polished MVP with a smooth onboarding experienceA launch checklist and initial marketing/ASO plan (keywords, descriptions, visuals)Clear success metrics to evaluate post-launch progressTips:
Prioritize onboarding clarity. First-time users should answer “Why should I care?” within the first few taps.Capture qualitative and quantitative signals. Combine user feedback with activation and retention metrics to determine next steps.Conclusion
Turning an idea into an MVP in five weeks is about disciplined discovery, strict prioritization, and rapid, iterative delivery. By focusing on the riskiest assumptions, validating early, and delivering a cohesive core experience, you create learning loops that drive future iterations and build momentum with investors and users alike.
If you want help translating this plan into a production-ready MVP, including a scalable mobile and web build with investor-ready readiness, there are experienced partners who can support you through design, development, and go-to-market readiness. Fokus App Studio can help with this.