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# MVP Feature Prioritization Matrix: [PROJECT_NAME]

## Executive Summary

- **Total Features Analyzed**: [Number]
- **MVP Core Features**: [Number] features
- **Estimated MVP Development Time**: [Timeframe estimate]
- **Key User Journey**: [Primary workflow being optimized]
- **Success Validation Strategy**: [How MVP success will be measured]

## Feature Priority Classification

### Must Have (MVP Core) - [X Features]

_Essential features for basic product functionality_

#### [Feature Name 1]

- **User Impact**: Critical - [Specific user value]
- **Implementation**: Simple/Medium/Complex - [Effort estimate]
- **Dependencies**: [List any prerequisite features]
- **Success Criteria**: [How to validate this feature works]
- **User Story**: As a [user type], I need [functionality] so that [benefit]

#### [Feature Name 2-N]

[Continue pattern for all Must Have features]

### Should Have (MVP Enhanced) - [X Features]

_Important for competitive advantage and user satisfaction_

#### [Feature Name 1]

- **User Impact**: High - [Specific user value]
- **Implementation**: [Complexity assessment]
- **Dependencies**: [Prerequisites]
- **Rationale**: [Why this isn't Must Have]
- **Success Criteria**: [Validation approach]

#### [Feature Name 2-N]

[Continue pattern for all Should Have features]

### Could Have (Post-MVP v1.1) - [X Features]

_Valuable enhancements for future iterations_

#### [Feature Name 1]

- **User Impact**: Medium - [User value]
- **Implementation**: [Complexity]
- **Deferral Reason**: [Why this can wait]
- **Future Priority**: [When to revisit]

#### [Feature Name 2-N]

[Continue pattern for all Could Have features]

### Won't Have (Out of Scope) - [X Features]

_Explicitly deferred features_

#### [Feature Name 1]

- **Deferral Reason**: [Technical/strategic/resource constraint]
- **Future Consideration**: [Conditions for reconsidering]

#### [Feature Name 2-N]

[Continue pattern for all Won't Have features]

## Implementation Complexity Assessment

### Simple Features (1-3 days each)

- [Feature 1]: [Brief complexity explanation]
- [Feature 2]: [Brief complexity explanation]
- **Total Simple Features**: [Count] ([Estimated time])

### Medium Features (4-7 days each)

- [Feature 1]: [Complexity factors and challenges]
- [Feature 2]: [Complexity factors and challenges]
- **Total Medium Features**: [Count] ([Estimated time])

### Complex Features (8+ days each)

- [Feature 1]: [Detailed complexity analysis and risk factors]
- [Feature 2]: [Detailed complexity analysis and risk factors]
- **Total Complex Features**: [Count] ([Estimated time])

## Feature Dependency Map

### Foundation Features

_Features that enable other features_

- **[Foundation Feature 1]**: Enables [List of dependent features]
- **[Foundation Feature 2]**: Enables [List of dependent features]

### Integration Dependencies

_Features requiring external services or complex integrations_

- **[Feature 1]**: Depends on [External service/API]
- **[Feature 2]**: Depends on [Technical capability]

### User Journey Dependencies

_Features that must work together for coherent user experience_

- **User Registration → Profile Setup → Core Functionality**
- **[Workflow 2]**: [Feature A] → [Feature B] → [Feature C]

## Development Velocity Optimization

### Phase 1 Quick Wins (Week 1-2)

_High-impact, low-effort features for early validation_

- [Feature 1]: [Why this provides early user value]
- [Feature 2]: [Why this enables further development]
- **Phase Success Criteria**: [What validates this phase worked]

### Phase 2 Foundation Building (Week 3-4)

_Core infrastructure and essential functionality_

- [Feature 1]: [How this enables subsequent features]
- [Feature 2]: [Why this is architecturally foundational]
- **Phase Success Criteria**: [Technical and user validation points]

### Phase 3 User Journey Completion (Week 5-6)

_Features completing core user workflows_

- [Feature 1]: [How this completes a user journey]
- [Feature 2]: [Why this is essential for user retention]
- **Phase Success Criteria**: [End-to-end workflow validation]

### Phase 4 MVP Polish (Week 7-8)

_Enhancement and optimization features_

- [Feature 1]: [How this improves user experience]
- [Feature 2]: [Why this reduces user friction]
- **Phase Success Criteria**: [User satisfaction and adoption metrics]

## MVP Success Criteria

### Core User Journey Validation

**Primary User Workflow**: [Define the most important user journey]

1. **Step 1**: [User action] → [Expected outcome] → [Success metric]
2. **Step 2**: [User action] → [Expected outcome] → [Success metric]
3. **Step N**: [User action] → [Expected outcome] → [Success metric]

**Success Thresholds**:

- **Completion Rate**: [X%] of users complete core workflow
- **Time to Value**: Users achieve primary value within [X minutes/actions]
- **Error Rate**: Less than [X%] of users encounter blocking errors

### Technical Performance Criteria

- **Response Time**: API calls complete within [X seconds]
- **Uptime**: System availability above [X%]
- **Error Handling**: Graceful degradation for all failure modes
- **Data Integrity**: Zero data loss or corruption incidents

### User Satisfaction Metrics

- **Usability**: [X%] of users can complete core tasks without assistance
- **Satisfaction Score**: Average user rating above [X/10]
- **Retention**: [X%] of users return within [time period]

## Scope Protection Framework

### Feature Addition Criteria

Before adding any new feature to MVP scope, it must:

1. **Pass the Critical Test**: Is the MVP fundamentally broken without this?
2. **Pass the Complexity Test**: Can this be implemented in [X days] or less?
3. **Pass the Journey Test**: Does this complete a core user workflow?
4. **Pass the Resource Test**: Do we have capacity without impacting timeline?

### Scope Change Process

1. **Impact Assessment**: Analyze effect on timeline, complexity, and other features
2. **Trade-off Analysis**: What existing feature could be moved to "Should Have"?
3. **Stakeholder Alignment**: Agreement from all decision makers required
4. **Documentation Update**: Formal scope change documentation

### Red Flag Indicators

Stop and reassess if you observe:

- MVP scope growing beyond [X] Must Have features
- Any single feature requiring more than [X days] development
- Total MVP timeline exceeding [X weeks]
- Core user journey requiring more than [X] features to function

## Next Phase Handoff

### For Development Execution Planning

**Priority Sequence**: [Recommended development order with rationale]
**Risk Mitigation**: [Features requiring special attention or early validation]
**User Feedback Points**: [When and how to collect user input during development]

### Success Validation Plan

**Milestone Checkpoints**: [When to evaluate progress against success criteria]  
**Pivot Triggers**: [Conditions that would require scope or strategy changes]
**Launch Readiness**: [Final criteria for MVP release decision]