Startups need funding to live, and even more funding to get to market. They need to evolve a vision into a product and solve a myriad of technical challenges along the way. How do you design for all of these needs, and how and where does UX fit into this complex process?

1. 0 to MVP:
the role of UX before
there is a product
Colin Payne
T: @colinGravity
I: colin_gravity
Polymorph
T: @PolymorphApps
I: polymorphsystems
W: www.polymorph.co.za

2. Product Roadmap
Vision
Public
Release

3. Minimum Viable Product
Release 1
Release 2
Release 3
Release 4
Public
Release 1
(“MVP”)

4. NDA
All your ideas belong to us!

5. Hamelin Payment Systems
Unique Value Propositions
1. Secure transaction tracking using Blockchain
technology
2. Unprecedented compression of associated data
on bespoke backend
3. AI advisor for conversational portfolio
management
4. Revolutionary modular dynamic User Interface!

6. HPS Team
Visionary
Chief Software
Architect
COO
Mentor
Passionate about making
the world a better place
Knows more than you
Knows good UX when he sees it
Visionary’s best friend
Paid the bills for the first 3months
Angel Investor
Passionate about sharing
his experience
UX
Evangelist

7. HPS Tech
None of this exists yet…
• Blockchain Technology
• Compression algorithm
• AI advisor

8. HPS Process
“We don’t have time for proper process!”
“We need to be able to pivot quickly!”

9. HPS Funding
1. Bootstrapped
2. Angel investment
3. Seed funding from a leading bank’s
innovation lab
4. Next: Seeking VC funding
?

10. Time is Money
HPS Strategy
1. Develop the technology required to
fulfil our vision.
2. Move as fast as possible toward
defining our MVP.
3. We have a runway of 6 months, so
raising capital is also a priority.

11. HPS: Our products
?“Anyone interested in
money are potential users”
“Users will want to
access it on all devices”
“It’s a service”
“It’s a platform”
“We’re not quite
sure yet…”

12. What’s the problem?
• No specific product
• Lack of alignment, but lots of opinion
• Poorly understood technology
• Time pressure
• No clearly defined problem space
• Extreme multi-tasking

13. What is the Solution?
Creating some Order
• Startups can be chaotic.
• Its easy for teams to become
misaligned.
• Using the right processes will help
establishing structure and focus.

14. Create a Backlog of Products
What assets will the startup be generating?
Each of these can be treated as a product that can be optimised
What is the problem space surrounding each of these elements?
Be specific; keep things manageable

15. Prioritise the Backlog
Where can you have the most Impact?
• Work with the team to do this
• UX is useful wherever there are users using
things, but you can’t be everywhere
• Keep the roadmap in mind, and respect
business priorities

16. What makes a good design process?
Asking the right questions, and then finding
a way to answer them
The more specific the questions, the easier
they are to answer

17. What makes a good design process?
“We don’t have time for proper process!”
1. only do what is essential
2. maintain alignment
3. clear goals
A good design process should make things faster and cheaper

18. Outcomes
Create momentum
1. Record your decisions.
2. Assemble strawman solutions to be
tested.
3. Iterate fast, do not become attached to
anything.

19. Trust your Team
1. Consult with the team, trust their expertise
2. Expect them to trust you
3. Demand the inputs you need
4. Don’t let marketing come up with personas.

20. Personal Goals
Know what matters most to you,
define it,
and be flexible on everything else

21. Example Strategy
HPS backlog
1. Tech demo for data compression
2. Tech demo for Blockchain implementation
3. AI Prototype
4. UI clickable prototype (fake)
5. Business presentation (ongoing)
6. User definitions

22. Example Strategy
AI Prototype: product purpose
1. Impress key Fintech stakeholders
2. Explore potential solutions for interaction
3. Create excitement in established network
4. Impress potential funders

23. Example Strategy
AI Prototype: Process roadmap
1. Workshop with team:
• Lean coffee
• Lean canvas
• User personas
• Impact map

24. Example Strategy
AI Prototype: Process roadmap
2. Research ‘users’
3. Understand the potential of the tech
4. Research competitors

25. Example Strategy
AI Prototype: Process roadmap
5. Assemble strawman and test
• start as simple as possible
• Add complexity and features
6. Iterate until MVP prototype is achieved.

26. Fin
Colin Payne
T: @colinGravity I: colin_gravity
Polymorph
T: @PolymorphApps I: polymorphsystems W: www.polymorph.co.za
0 to MVP