From MVPs to OVPs: Why Edtech Needs to Evolve to Truly Meet Customer Needs

In the edtech sector, where solutions must address complex challenges faced by schools and educators daily, the traditional MVP (Minimum Viable Product) approach can often feel lacking. MVPs allow teams to launch a “good enough” version to test ideas and gain feedback, but this approach frequently leaves users waiting for future fixes or enhancements.

Instead, the industry could benefit from shifting its focus to what I call the Optimal Viable Product (OVP). OVPs are products developed to meet customers’ real needs, not just as an entry-level solution but as a genuinely functional tool from day one. It’s a necessary shift that can elevate both customer satisfaction and business profitability in edtech.

Why MVPs Can Miss the Mark in Edtech

The MVP concept originated in tech startups where rapid testing and iteration are often necessary to find product-market fit. MVPs are intentionally stripped down to their most basic features, allowing companies to validate ideas and make adjustments based on user feedback. But the problem is, while MVPs provide a starting point, they rarely meet the quality or usability standards that educators and schools expect from edtech solutions.

Key issues with MVPs in edtech include:

• Unmet Expectations: Educators need reliable tools, not prototypes that come with promises of improvement. A product that falls short initially can quickly erode trust.
• Endless Iterations: Teams can get caught in a loop of constant revisions and patches that could have been anticipated with a more comprehensive initial design.
• Resource Drain: Ongoing development cycles stretch resources and budgets, often leading to costly and time-consuming rework instead of meaningful refinement.

Enter the OVP: Optimal Viable Product

An OVP isn’t about launching a product that’s “just enough”; it’s about delivering a solution that aligns closely with what the customer genuinely wants and needs from the start. In edtech, this approach allows companies to build products that truly serve their purpose, minimising the need for endless tweaks and updates.

Here’s what makes an OVP different from an MVP:

• Solution-Oriented: An OVP focuses on solving a specific, clearly defined problem in the best way possible, not simply testing if the market has an interest in the concept.
• Designed for Immediate Use: Unlike an MVP, which may require further enhancements, an OVP is ready to deliver value and meet the users’ needs from day one.
• Data-Driven Development: An OVP approach emphasises understanding and anticipating customer needs, reducing the reliance on user feedback post-launch to catch issues that should have been evident in the initial research.

Why OVPs Matter in Edtech

Edtech products operate in environments where time and resources are limited, and where the stakes – student learning outcomes, administrative efficiency, and educational equity – are high. By prioritising OVPs, edtech companies can create tools that integrate seamlessly into schools’ workflows, address immediate needs, and ultimately foster trust in their solutions.

Consider these specific benefits of shifting to OVPs in edtech:

• Higher Customer Satisfaction: A well-built product that functions as expected builds credibility. Educators and school leaders are more likely to recommend a product that solves their challenges out of the box.
• Enhanced Brand Loyalty: When edtech tools meet the schools’ needs reliably from the outset, it leads to repeat business and higher retention rates, essential in a market where trust is a major currency.
• Improved Profitability: With an OVP, resources can focus on strategic growth rather than on post-launch fixes. This approach can reduce customer support costs and cut down on development expenses related to unplanned updates and patches.

So, how can edtech companies transition from MVPs to OVPs?

1 Invest in comprehensive research
Deep customer research should guide every stage of development, from ideation to final product. Understand the needs of teachers, leaders, operational staff and students through surveys, focus groups, and data analysis. This groundwork will pay off in a product that meets core needs and reduces the requirement for immediate post-launch changes.

2. Prioritise quality over speed
It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to launch quickly, but an OVP prioritises a well-rounded, functional solution over an earlier release date. Building with longevity in mind will ultimately yield a stronger market position and a more loyal customer base.

3. Focus on essential features done well
With an OVP, the goal isn’t to pack in every possible feature but to deliver essential functions effectively. Focus on the core features that provide immediate value to the user, making sure they’re well-executed and reliable.

4. Iterate with intentional refinement
While the MVP approach often leaves room for continuous feedback loops, the OVP approach involves planned refinements rather than reactive fixes. Post-launch enhancements should focus on optimising the product’s strengths rather than correcting preventable oversights.

5. Communicate value clearly
Make sure that users understand the purpose and benefits of the product right from the start. Clear communication about what the product is designed to do (and how it will help) can build trust, helping educators feel confident in adopting it for their classrooms or institutions.

Final Thoughts

In edtech, building an OVP instead of an MVP doesn’t just improve the customer experience; it strengthens your business model. Edtech solutions that meet genuine needs from day one help educators focus on what matters most: teaching and learning. For edtech companies, shifting to an OVP approach could mark the difference between being “good enough” and truly indispensable in an industry where trust and functionality go hand in hand.