MVP & product development
You have an idea, a prototype or a product that has not made it to a useful first release. I work out what needs to be built with you, make the technical calls and lead the build. You get working software and a sound basis for the next decision.
Let’s work out your first versionFree first conversation · 30 minutes · Directly with me
A defined starting engagement · Core-value release
An MVP should let the intended user do the main thing they came for. We define and build one agreed, complete journey that delivers that value. It is a working release you can use and carry forward.
That means including the supporting steps needed to make the journey usable: inputs, meaningful error states, review or output, and the operational basics appropriate to the product. Authentication, payment and integrations belong in the scope where the journey needs them. They do not disappear from the budget because we call it a first release.
We can begin from an idea or reuse an existing prototype where it makes sense. If the main value will not fit a small release, we simplify the proposition or agree a larger scope before committing.
Discuss a core-value release ↗Who is this for? What are they trying to do? What should the first release help you learn? We work through the essential journey and the features that can wait. Access to intended users makes that work more useful.
I choose the architecture and implementation approach around the product and its next stage. I build hands-on, work with your developers or bring and lead the team we need. Product scope and technical trade-offs stay connected.
You see progress in software you can review, with decisions and obstacles made clear. We agree appropriate testing and acceptance checks, then take the release through deployment, access, documentation and handover.
We agree how to involve intended users, inspect initial use and decide where further investment belongs. A first release gives us something real to learn from. It does not promise demand or revenue.
Skillbid · Fractional CTO and product engineering
I connected expert onboarding, paid questions, consultations, payments and operations, built mentor-specific AI chat and carried the work through public beta. When a major rewrite was discussed, I recommended clarifying the goals and attracting users before committing to more development.
Read the Skillbid story ↗Varea · CTO
I built the engineering team and lead architecture and delivery across conversational AI, property data, contract creation, negotiation, signatures and workspaces. Together, we built the product and the configuration and debugging tools behind it.
The system behind Varea ↗Through CodeCooperation, I also led Translatly’s software architecture and development. The product reached a university-hospital pilot, documented in a peer-reviewed study I co-authored.
Read the Translatly account and study ↗Before we start, we agree the outcome, essential and deferred scope, responsibilities, access, fee, delivery plan and acceptance checks. I explain what I need from you and what depends on third-party systems or other people.
We plan the repositories, accounts, deployment information and handover from the beginning. If your team or another developer continues the work, they need more than a running demo.
I can stay as your product and technical partner after the first release: priorities, reliability, feedback and the next build. You can also finish with a useful one-off delivery. We agree that boundary rather than leaving it to the end.
If your immediate question is whether the existing product is ready or worth extending, start with a technical second opinion. If continuing technical responsibility is the need, see how I work as a fractional CTO.
The core-value release includes definition and implementation of the agreed complete user journey. Product decisions, working software, appropriate testing, deployment and handover are part of the scope we agree.
Yes. I start by understanding what it does, what is usable and what the product needs next. We decide what to keep, extend or replace based on evidence rather than assuming a rewrite.
That depends on the journey, supporting functionality, integrations and starting point. We agree the scope, fee and delivery plan before the build. There is no honest universal price or timetable for every idea.
Yes. I can lead the next product and technical decisions, work with users and organise further delivery. A one-off release is also a valid engagement, with an agreed handover.
Let’s take 30 minutes.
Tell me what you’re dealing with. I’ll share how I’d approach it and help work out a useful next step. You’re welcome to use that advice whether or not we work together.
Let’s work out your first versionThe conversation is free. Any paid work is scoped and priced before we start.