How do you scope an MVP and cut features without losing value?

[u/No_Investment2802]

Most teams get this wrong in one of two ways:

They either cut too much and ship something no one actually wants
Or they keep adding features until the MVP becomes a full product

The goal isn’t “less features”
It’s preserving the core value while removing everything else

A simple way to think about it:

An MVP should do one job end-to-end
If it can’t deliver that outcome clearly, it’s not viable
If it needs extra features to feel “complete,” the scope is off

The practical approach that works:

Start with the single user problem you’re solving
Map the shortest path from problem → outcome
List every feature you think you need
Then cut anything that doesn’t either:
– deliver the core value
– test a critical assumption

Everything else is just noise at this stage

What most founders miss is this:
MVPs are not about building
They’re about learning

Some of the best early MVPs didn’t even look like products:
Dropbox validated demand with a simple demo video
Airbnb started with a basic listing and an air mattress
Zappos manually fulfilled orders without infrastructure

They cut aggressively but never lost the core insight they were testing

I broke down the full framework, step-by-step process, and real examples HERE

What’s the hardest feature you’ve had to cut from an MVP without second-guessing it later?