What is your minimum viable output?

It is no surprise that most of the content of my blogs are based around balance, mental health, and productivity right now. Whilst we were all so hopeful about 2021, for many of us we are back to the ever-evolving world of balancing work, business, family life and remote learning. We are living this phase of our lives with shorter days, colder weather, and with the emotional hangover of 2020. With all this in mind, I want to introduce a concept; your minimum viable output (MVA).

 

The timing of the reading of this article will influence the lens you are reading It through. Whilst this is being written in February 2021, the concepts, and tips I am including have been around since the inception of The Balance Collective; how they are used will change by the needs of the client. I’ve used this concept with parents looking to move into self-employment, Mums seeking some balance when they return to work and Dads developing their careers.

 

I first came across the concept of “minimum viability” during my time as a Project Manager, which was inspired by the delight that is the PRINCE2 qualification! I used it on “Project Clara” when I was considered what income I needed to be able to go out on my own. Right now, I’m using it to loosely plan my workday, to enable me to manage the multiple roles, reduced “me” time, varied energy levels and increasing pressure that is ever-present in my life. Every day I ask myself one simple question: what is the least I can do that will cause the maximum effect?

 

 

I am not way the creator of this concept and can’t take the credit; the origins in within the lean start-up methodology and consultancy. However, this concept is one that can be used within the context of your life to create a better balance, especially when all the tasks come crashing together at once, in ways you could never have expected.

 

 

To understand where to start, it’s useful to simplify which areas you need to focus on. What exactly do you need to create output or outcomes for; simply, what do you need to do? It may help to focus this technique on the two areas of our lives that often pull us in opposite directions. There are:

 

 

Your responsibilities

So, these are the things you simply must do. How to meet your financial commitments, caring responsibilities and the including the things these areas and people need, deserve and expect.

 

Your wellbeing

What you need to do or must make sure you are keeping physically and mentally well, as well as including a bit of fun!

 

 

Now, when you are considering the minimum viable outcome, there are areas you can consider:

 

• Do you have to do it?
• Does it have to be at the standard usually expected?
• What does enough look like?

 

What is the minimum you can do, to reach the need and maximize the impact?

 

What could minimum viable outputs look like?

 

Teams Meetings for remote learning: Teeth brushed and in a onesie. They are there ready to learn!

Everyone needs to eat: You have a takeaway or a “snacky tea” or if you have older children, A meal by them? It isn’t what you would choose, but it’s very edible and now four mouths are fed. We can put that down as food tech, science and maths.

Reading with your youngest: That chapter requested by the school hasn’t happened today? Then read it at bedtime.

Need to speak to a colleague or contact, but the little one needs the laptop? Make it a phone call and let them know the time slots you have available (get it booked into your diary via a link). If you can get out of the house, maybe even have a chat on the phone whilst you walk!

You need to promote your business on social media? Reuse old content and curate stuff from others (with full credit, of course)

 

These are all light-hearted but real life “minimum via output” scenarios in the Wilcox household right now!

 

The whole time you are considering your MVA for your responsibilities and wellbeing, you are focusing on the things that really matter, and that can maintain your resilience and the wellbeing of those that you really care about. Often in moments of stress and pressure, the wrong things take priority. We try to maintain the quality, content or quality of our lives and our work when the current circumstances make it very hard to do so. Thinking about the minimum viable output brings clarity.

It’s important to remind you that the minimum viable output approach is a short-term response to unusual situations. A time when you need to take a back step, manage your health and energy.

These are the small things you can control at the time when you feel out of control. So, how what would MVO look like for you?

 

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