Making websites can really suck. You know what I mean. It’s exhilarating to create something that so many people could theoretically use right away, but the process of getting there is a lot like pulling teeth.

Even though this was something I was clearly good at, having started at age 9 and accidentally finding my way into this line of work professionally, I knew instinctively there just had to be better ways of getting cost-effective websites up that people used AND that owners updated and improved for users on a regular basis.

Then came along Agile and Lean Startup. Viewing websites through these perspectives helps non-developers see websites as more than over-priced, over-glorified interactive flyers on a giant global bulletin board. Websites are now products meant to do something actively, where users can try to do something they want, succeed or fail at that, and let you know how well you are succeeding or failing at your product.

The genius behind Agile and Lean Startup, from both a web development standpoint as well as business, lies in a scientific process of building, testing, learning and focusing on solving a finite set of problems at a particular time.

That’s how I came up with Codacity’s ACHIEVE MVP process. What’s ACHIEVE stand for?

• Assess the problem
• Conceptualize the product
• Hypothesize value and growth
• Identify measurable objectives
• Execute the product
• Validate hypotheses
• Evaluate findings

Now about the MVP part. Who’s the most valuable player? You are! But that’s not what MVP stands for. Minimum Viable Product. This is a core concept that, when starting out with a brand new website product, you strive to meet the absolute minimum number of user needs with the fewest features possible to see how users respond. Using the ACHIEVE process to build, test and learn from your initial product, we repeat the ACHIEVE cycle either to maintain course, improve the product or change directions in a more substantial way.

Why all this structure for a website? Because time and money are precious. This process saves everyone a tremendous amount of time and money, and ensures resources are directed where user feedback and data rationalize their investment best.

Codacity employs its ACHIEVE process through in-person or real-time remote Work Sessions, along with working with product owners on tracking product changes, user interactions and marketing efforts and monitoring how well or not well objectives are being met at regular intervals.

So far we’ve had great success in getting products launched and gaining ideas of what really needs to be done next to take products to the next level.  If you’ve had experience with a similar approach, how did it work for you? Of course, we’re happy to talk with you if you want to employ Codacity’s ACHIEVE process.