Minimum Viable Output Worksheet
Use when you need to answer: "What is the smallest useful output capable of producing or testing the desired outcome?"
Identify the smallest focused output capable of creating or testing the priority outcome — not a miniature version of the eventual product.
Core Question
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What is the smallest useful output capable of producing or testing the desired outcome?
What to Document
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Must Have Now — essential to create or test the outcome
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Can Wait Until Later — useful, not needed for the first evidence cycle
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Will Not Build Now — deliberately excluded to protect focus
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Key Dependencies — people, data, systems, approvals, partners, content
Common Mistake to Avoid
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Confusing 'minimum viable output' with 'cheapest possible version of the full product,' which usually reintroduces most of the original scope through the back door.
Illustrative Example
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Instead of a full AI meeting assistant, the minimum viable output is a short list of suggested follow-up actions generated automatically after each meeting.