Minimum Viable Products for Internet of Things Applications: Common Pitfalls and Practices

Anh Nguyen-Duc, Khan Khalid, Sohaib Shahid Bajwa and Tor Lønnestad
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Anh Nguyen-Duc: Business School, University of South Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
Khan Khalid: Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology, P.O. Box 75190 Karachi, Pakistan
Sohaib Shahid Bajwa: University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Tor Lønnestad: Business School, University of South Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway

Future Internet, 2019, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: Internet of Things applications are not only the new opportunity for digital businesses but also a major driving force for the modification and creation of software systems in all industries and businesses. Compared to other types of software-intensive products, the development of Internet of Things applications lacks a systematic approach and guidelines. This paper aims at understanding the common practices and challenges among start-up companies who are developing Internet of Things products. A qualitative research is conducted with data from twelve semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis reveals common types of Minimum Viable Products, prototyping techniques and production concerns among early stage hardware start-ups. We found that hardware start-ups go through an incremental prototyping process toward production. The progress associates with the transition from speed-focus to quality-focus. Hardware start-ups heavily rely on third-party vendors in term of development speed and final product quality. We identified 24 challenges related to management, requirement, design, implementation and testing. Internet of Things entrepreneurs should be aware of relevant pitfalls and managing both internal and external risks.

Keywords: Internet of Things applications; prototyping; hardware start-ups; Minimum Viable Products; case study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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