·4 min read
MVP Development Timeline: Week by Week Breakdown
You've hired a developer. What should actually happen each week? Here's a realistic timeline.
2-Week MVP Timeline
Week 1: Foundation
| Day | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Project setup, codebase structure, tooling configured |
| Day 2-3 | Database schema, authentication system, basic layout |
| Day 4-5 | Core feature #1 built (the main user flow) |
| End of Week | You can see a working prototype |
Week 2: Polish and Launch
| Day | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Day 6-7 | Remaining features, payment integration |
| Day 8-9 | Bug fixes, responsive design, edge cases |
| Day 10 | Testing, deployment, final handoff |
| End of Week | Production-ready MVP |
What You Should See
- •Day 1: Working dev environment, you have access
- •Day 3: Can log in and see basic UI
- •Day 5: Core flow works end-to-end
- •Day 7: All features complete (rough edges)
- •Day 10: Ready for real users
Red Flags During Development
- •No visible progress after day 3
- •"Still setting things up" at end of week 1
- •Can't show you anything working
- •Missed check-ins or slow communication
- •Scope discussions happening in week 2
Your Role During the Build
- •Respond to questions within a few hours
- •Review progress at each check-in
- •Make decisions quickly when asked
- •Don't add new features mid-build
- •Test what's built as you go
A 2-week timeline is aggressive but achievable for experienced developers working on focused MVPs. Add a week if you have complex integrations.