A minimal product is the least elaborate version of a solution that can reveal what customers genuinely need. It may be a prototype or mock-up, rather than a finished product. The point is learning before committing heavily to implementation—especially before assuming AI is the answer. section 4.2 section 5.3
Test the need before building the machine
A team may be excited about self-driving cars and raise money to build them without knowing which customer problem they solve. A prototype or mock-up can expose that gap earlier, before the team goes all-in. section 4.2 section 4.2
Use the pattern to keep product decisions grounded:
- Start with the customer problem, not the appeal of a great idea or fashionable technology. section 4.2
- Show customers the smallest useful representation and collect evidence about their needs. section 4.2 section 5.3
- Treat the result as learning, not proof that a complete product will automatically sell. section 4.2
