Here's a practical 30-day breakdown for building and deploying an MVP:
Days 1-3: Validation & Planning
- Define the core problem you're solving and for whom
- Identify the ONE key feature that delivers value (resist feature creep)
- Sketch user flows and basic wireframes
- Choose your tech stack based on speed and familiarity
- Set up project management tools and repository
Days 4-7: Design & Architecture
- Create low-fidelity mockups for critical screens
- Plan your database schema
- Define API endpoints or key integrations
- Set up development environment and CI/CD pipeline
- Break down work into small, shippable tasks
Days 8-21: Core Development (2 weeks)
- Week 1: Build the backend/core functionality
- Authentication if needed
- Core feature implementation
- Essential API endpoints
- Week 2: Frontend development
- Key user-facing screens
- Connect frontend to backend
- Basic error handling
Days 22-25: Testing & Refinement
- User testing with 3-5 people from your target audience
- Bug fixes and critical improvements
- Performance optimization
- Write basic documentation
Days 26-28: Deployment Prep
- Set up hosting environment (Vercel, Netlify, Railway, etc.)
- Configure environment variables and secrets
- Set up monitoring and analytics
- Create landing/marketing page
Days 29-30: Launch
- Deploy to production
- Soft launch to small group
- Monitor for critical issues
- Gather initial feedback
Key principles for hitting 30 days:
- Cut ruthlessly - if it's not essential for the core value proposition, it's for v2
- Use existing tools and services rather than building everything
- Choose familiar technologies to avoid learning curves
- Test continuously, not just at the end
- Plan to iterate post-launch based on real usage