Decision table
| Question | Prototype | MVP |
|---|---|---|
| What are you trying to learn? | Whether a flow, message, or interaction makes sense. | Whether a specific user can complete an important job in working software. |
| What must work? | The representation of the idea or interaction. | The end-to-end path, including useful states and a practical handoff. |
| What evidence do you get? | Feedback on language, flow, or visual direction. | Observed use of a working path and a reason to choose the next slice. |
| What should stay out? | Production infrastructure and edge cases that do not answer the question. | Features outside the first user job, even if they appear on a longer wish list. |
Start with the question, not the label
“Prototype” and “MVP” describe different kinds of evidence. A prototype helps someone react to a proposed experience. An MVP lets a specific user complete a real job in working software. Neither proves demand, pricing, or long-term retention by itself.
If the user, problem, and first path are still moving, define the decision before writing production code. Reordo’s Product Clarity Sprint is designed for that point.
What Reordo can show
Vouch is a documented example of a focused SaaS path carried through collection, approval, and publishing. The case shows implemented screens and boundaries. It does not claim commercial outcomes.
For an MVP engagement, Reordo maps the smallest end-to-end path, includes the important empty and error states, tests the agreed flow, and shows a working demo at the end of each one-week sprint.
A simple decision check
- If feedback on the flow or message is the missing evidence, start with a prototype.
- If a real user must complete the core job, build an MVP.
- If you cannot name the user, job, or first path, clarify the scope before choosing either.
Reordo context
See Reordo MVP development. Read the Vouch case study.
Clients own the custom code and project IP created for their engagement. Pre-existing Reordo materials and third-party licensed components keep their existing ownership and licence terms.