Most corporate digital transformation projects don’t fail because of bad tech. They fail because of the wrong mindset. Long timelines. Too many approvals. Feature lists bloated with “stakeholder requests.”
Startups don’t work this way. And that’s why they ship. Fast. Broken. Real. And then they fix it.
So here’s the question: Why should MVPs (minimum viable products) only be a startup thing? Spoiler: They shouldn’t. Smart enterprises are already moving toward leaner development cycles. The others? Still writing 90-page specs.
When Corporates Move Like Startups
Let’s look at the Lufthansa example.
In 2019, their innovation team wanted to test a new baggage tracking idea. But instead of running it through their core IT roadmap, they spun up a microteam. No long-term commitments. No six-figure budgets.
They had:
- A 2-week discovery sprint
- A clickable prototype in Figma
- A basic React Native app connected to simulated tracking data
In 45 days, they validated user interest. In 90, they had pilots running in two airports.
The MVP approach let them learn—cheaply, quickly, and with minimal risk.
The Problem with Traditional Enterprise Builds
Here’s what often happens:
- Department X wants a tool.
- A business analyst writes a doc.
- 12 stakeholders “refine” it.
- IT assigns it to next year’s backlog.
- 18 months and $600k later, no one uses the tool.
What if they had just launched something basic in 3 months and observed usage?
Digitalization companies help enterprises do just that. But only when leadership accepts that v1 can be ugly—as long as it’s usable.
What Enterprise MVPs Actually Look Like
They’re not sloppy. They’re intentional.
✅ A simple tool to replace Excel + email for reporting
✅ A basic dashboard showing real-time data from one business unit
✅ A stripped-down mobile app for customers to log a service request
One enterprise client wanted a procurement optimization tool. Instead of building a full ERP module, they launched a 3-screen web app to simulate the request/approval process.
After 4 weeks of live use, they learned:
✅ Users skipped 2 of the 5 fields
✅ Most actions happened on mobile, not desktop
✅ They didn’t need PDF export, but did want Slack alerts
These insights cost them $25k and saved them $250k of wrong assumptions.
How to Structure an Enterprise MVP
If you’re launching internally, you need three phases:
1. Discovery
Run interviews, map pain points, and define hypotheses. A good MVP development company will push you to kill features.
2. Prototype
Clickable designs, mock APIs, quick dev spikes. Test with real users (even if it’s 10 people).
3. Ship
Host it, monitor it, and prepare for bugs. But also prepare to learn.
Don’t overthink governance. If it works, it will survive. If it doesn’t, you’ve saved money by learning early.
Common Pushbacks (and Real Responses)
“We can’t launch without full integration into our core systems.”
You can. Use mock data. Use export/import. MVPs are not forever.
“It won’t pass InfoSec review.”
Build it in a sandboxed environment. Or work with partners who understand enterprise-grade security from day one.
“Our users expect polish.”
They expect value. And they forgive UX when the job gets done.
The Culture Shift: From Perfection to Progress
Companies like S-PRO that specialize in building MVPs for enterprise don’t just write code. They guide internal teams to:
- Say no to “nice to have”
- Talk to real users before building
- Build testable slices, not perfect products
One large insurer used this approach to test a digital claims tool. The MVP was rough. But it worked. Within 6 weeks they had usage data that validated the business case and secured internal buy-in for full rollout.
Final Takeaway
Enterprise innovation doesn’t need to move slowly. The mindset that MVPs are “too startup” is outdated. They’re not just for proving market fit—they’re for proving internal fit, stakeholder alignment, and technical feasibility.
The companies that embrace MVP thinking will move faster, waste less, and build tools people actually use.
So the next time someone in your org says, “Let’s start with a pilot,” don’t roll your eyes. That’s how real products begin.
