Agile Mythology: From Product Idea to MVP and How AI Fits In
Artificial intelligence isn’t new. What’s changed is how we use it. The real breakthrough wasn’t in the models themselves, but in the way people interact with them. Anyone can now have a natural conversation with a machine. That accessibility has reshaped how we think about LLMs.
At 7Factor, we see AI as a tool that enhances human expertise - not one that replaces it. In a recent webinar, our CEO and Founder, Jeremy Duvall, joined our partners at Scenic West, CEO and Founder, Erin Stewart, to explore how AI fits into a product’s journey from idea to MVP.
1. Discovery & Validation
Every great product starts with curiosity: defining the problem, the audience, and the opportunity. This is where AI can help teams work more efficiently by gathering insights and summarizing complex research notes. But it can’t tell you which problems are truly worth solving. That still requires human empathy and critical thinking.
Being mindful of how and when you use AI is essential. It’s great for collecting input, not deciding direction.
2. MVP Definition & Planning
Once you understand the problem, the next challenge is focusing on deciding what’s essential for the first release. Here, AI can generate early drafts of user flows or even suggest feature groupings based on your notes. It’s a great way to jumpstart planning sessions or spark new ideas.
But this is also where products can lose quality if teams lean too hard on automation. AI can’t replace the strategy. The best results come when humans set the vision and use AI for mundane tasks, not to make the decisions.
3. Design & Development
This is where AI meets the nuts and bolts of creation. It can help visualize ideas and outline wireframes, but these tools are only as good as the people guiding them. AI shouldn’t be the one coding for you; it should be used sparingly, for inspiration on design approaches rather than actual implementation.
Engineers and designers should treat it like a co-pilot. The goal is to make work easier, not effortless, because great software still demands human craftsmanship.
4. Launch & Learn
Once your MVP is out in the world, the learning begins. AI can help gather user feedback, surface insights, and track performance data. For product managers, it’s a useful partner for organizing retrospectives or simplifying reporting.
Used wisely, it reduces the noise, so teams can focus on what matters most: improving the product and delivering real business value.
Now What?
AI isn’t something to fear or resist. It’s not here to take the craft out of software development; it’s here to help us do it better. When used thoughtfully, AI acts like a calculator for creativity, amplifying human insight rather than replacing it.
At 7Factor, that’s how we approach technology: with curiosity, discipline, and respect for the humans behind the code.
Watch our conversation with Erin Stewart of Scenic West and Jeremy Duvall of 7Factor to see how thoughtful AI adoption can make your team stronger without losing the human touch.