Template: “MVP Validation Checklist”

The “MVP Validation Checklist” template is a practical guide designed to support you at one of the most critical moments of a project: confirming whether your solution addresses a real problem before continuing to invest time and resources in its development.

Its goal is to help you validate your business idea through well-prepared interviews, capturing first-hand input from potential users while preserving the real nuance of what they say. The template is structured in phases that cover the full interview process, from preparation to recording and analysing the evidence gathered.

Unlike a theoretical manual or a lengthy document, this template works as a clear, practical working tool designed to guide each conversation, organise the information collected, and make it easier for the team to align when making decisions about the MVP’s next steps.

Template sections explained in detail

First, you’ll need to define the project basics: a space to add your logo and the name of the MVP or project. This initial information helps provide context and keep all interviews organised throughout the validation process.

Next, the template is organised into three phases, covering the full cycle of a validation interview. Each phase will help you prepare better, run conversations with focus, and capture everything you learn in a useful way.

Phase 1 — Interview preparation (½ day): this phase helps you plan the conversation before the interview takes place. To do so, it’s recommended that you write the MVP hypothesis in a single sentence, define the target customer profile, and prepare a script of open-ended questions that encourage detailed, spontaneous answers.

It’s also helpful to identify in advance the signals of interest and potential barriers you want to look out for during the session.

In addition, it’s important to have the MVP or prototype ready to show or use, request consent for recording, assign interview and observation roles, and agree on a reasonable duration of 30–45 minutes. Good preparation will help you obtain more reliable evidence and get the most out of each interview.

Phase 2 — Conducting the interview (during the session): this phase guides the conversation in real time and is structured into several moments. It starts by exploring how the potential user currently deals with the problem—how they solve it today, what alternatives they use, and what limitations or frustrations they experience. Next, it dives deeper into the problem to assess whether it truly exists, how often it occurs, and how high a priority it is for the interviewee. The MVP is then introduced (show, don’t sell), allowing them to explore it on their own while you observe spontaneous reactions and identify what sparks interest, as well as any doubts, friction, or blockers that may arise.

Lastly, the interview concludes by assessing their real willingness to use the solution, pay for it, or recommend it to others.

Phase 3 — Recording evidence: this phase is essential to ensure you don’t lose the valuable information that emerges in the conversation with the potential user. 

It captures direct quotes, signals of interest (expressions of enthusiasm, requests, or intention to use and pay), adoption barriers (doubts, objections, and friction that would prevent adoption), improvement opportunities (requested features and points of confusion that show what to adjust), and observed behaviour (what they did, not just what they said).

Finally, the template includes a notes section split into positives and negatives, enabling a quick, balanced read of the findings and helping the team clearly identify what’s working and what should be reviewed.

Put the “MVP Validation Checklist” template into practice

This template helps you confirm whether your business idea truly meets potential users’ needs—or whether, instead, it’s worth adjusting certain aspects before moving forward. Its purpose is to provide an honest, practical, and well-structured view of your MVP’s validation status by collecting real evidence and direct learnings from the people who will use it.

With this tool, you’ll be able to spot strengths, identify areas for improvement, and prioritise next steps, approaching your project’s development with a more solid, realistic, user-centred mindset.

Download the template and prepare your next interviews. Also, discover more ready-to-use tools in the content section of the ONE Platform.