The term Minimum Viable Product (MVP) was coined by Frank Robinson1 and popularized by Eric Ries2 for web application. MVP is a concept that cannot be underestimated, in relation to many facets of the warrior’s existence. What is the absolute minimum that is required to prove a hypothesis? In some cases, it could be the utterance of a single word. In other cases, it could be a minor bahavioural change. Think about it. What does it take to prove a hypothesis?

Guess what? The first step is to articulate and/or create the hypothesis. Yes. Visualize what you want to accomplish or have happen. Then think of the hypothesis that, when answered or proven, would result in the desired outcome. Then figure out how to test that hypothesis. This requires the true warrior to step backwards through the sequence of events that results in an outcome, and come to understand what it was that pulled the trigger in the first place. Once again, we are trying to divine what exists in the mind. Will you go left or will you go right? Well then … what’s the trigger for going left? When you know the trigger, you can engage the go-left behaviour.

So how does the MVP concept help to uncover the triggers? Well, when we have no other way of figuring this stuff out, the idea is to test it and see what happens. When we get the result that we want, we have a proven hypothesis and the trigger profile is mapped. When the test fails, we try a different test, and because we will fail frequently, it is huge that we focus on doing the minimum, so we do not waste our resources (time, money, tools, power, brain cells, etc). Do not fall into the “build it and they will come”3 trap, as that is total nonsense. We are not so smart. We need to test, test, and test again.

You are warriors and you will always test the waters. You will always see which way the wind is blowing. You will always determine the direction and strength of the current, and not just launch yourself out into space. No. You are true warriors, and you will uncover the triggers to an effective success strategy. So it is written.