The 90-Day Framework
Building a product in 90 days sounds aggressive, but it's entirely achievable when you have a disciplined process. The key isn't moving faster—it's eliminating everything that doesn't matter and focusing ruthlessly on what does.
Here's how we structure our 90-day sprints:
Phase 1: Weeks 1-3 — Discovery & Validation
The first three weeks are about ensuring we're building something people actually want. This is where most products fail, so we invest heavily here.
Week 1: Problem Definition
We start by deeply understanding the problem we're solving. This means:
- Interviewing 10-15 potential users
- Mapping the current solutions they use
- Identifying the specific pain points and frustrations
- Quantifying the impact of these problems
The goal isn't to validate our idea—it's to invalidate our assumptions as quickly as possible.
Weeks 2-3: Solution Sketching
Once we understand the problem deeply, we sketch potential solutions. Notice I said "sketch," not "design." We're creating rough concepts to test, not polished mockups.
We share these sketches with potential users and gather feedback. Often, what we thought was the obvious solution turns out to be wrong. Better to learn this now than after building.
Phase 2: Weeks 4-8 — Build
With validation complete, we shift into build mode. This is where the actual product takes shape.
Weeks 4-5: Core Architecture
We establish the technical foundation:
- Set up the development environment
- Build core data models
- Create essential API endpoints
- Implement authentication
We prioritize boring technology over cutting-edge tools. Reliability beats novelty when you're moving fast.
Weeks 6-8: Feature Development
We build features in order of importance, not complexity. Each feature follows a simple process:
- Build the minimal version
- Deploy to staging
- Test with real users
- Iterate based on feedback
We ship daily. Small, frequent deployments reduce risk and accelerate learning.
Phase 3: Weeks 9-12 — Polish & Launch
The final phase transforms our functional prototype into a launchable product.
Weeks 9-10: Refinement
This is where we address:
- UI/UX polish based on user testing
- Performance optimization
- Edge cases and error handling
- Mobile responsiveness
Week 11: Pre-Launch
We prepare for launch:
- Set up monitoring and analytics
- Create initial marketing materials
- Build landing pages
- Prepare customer support systems
Week 12: Launch
Launch day is anticlimactic by design. We've been testing with real users for weeks, so the official launch is just opening the doors wider.
What Makes This Work
Ruthless Prioritization
The 90-day constraint forces hard decisions. When you can only build a few things, you focus on what matters most.
Constant User Contact
We never go more than a few days without talking to users. This keeps us grounded and prevents us from building features nobody wants.
Small, Autonomous Team
Our build teams are 2-4 people maximum. Small teams move faster because they spend less time coordinating and more time building.
Accept Imperfection
The MVP will have rough edges. That's okay. We're testing whether the core concept works, not whether we can build a polished product.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-scoping the MVP: The "minimum" in MVP is there for a reason. If your MVP takes six months, it's not minimum.
Premature optimization: Don't worry about scaling until you have users. Most products fail because nobody wants them, not because they can't scale.
Skipping validation: No amount of good engineering can save a product that solves the wrong problem.
The Result
By week 12, we have a live product serving real customers. More importantly, we have validated learning about what works and what doesn't. This positions us to iterate intelligently rather than guess blindly.
The 90-day MVP isn't the end—it's the beginning of building something great.