MVP Plan for BaristaCard

1. Core Features and Functionality

Essential Features of the MVP

1. QR Code Loyalty System: Enable coffee shop owners to generate and manage unique QR codes for customer rewards that can be scanned in-store.
2. Reward Redemption Tracking: Simple system to track customer purchases and reward redemptions through the QR code scans.
3. Admin Dashboard: A user-friendly interface for coffee shop owners to set up, edit, and monitor their loyalty programs and customers’ engagement.
4. Customer Notifications: Basic notification system for informing customers about received rewards and promotions based on loyalty status.
5. User Signup: Basic functionality for coffee shops to register and create an account quickly.
6. Feedback Mechanism: Allowing users (both coffee shop owners and customers) to provide feedback on their loyalty program experiences.

Features to Defer to Later Versions

• Advanced Analytics Dashboard: In-depth insights and analytics for user behavior and redemption rates.
• Marketing Automation: Personalized email and SMS marketing capabilities based on customer purchasing patterns.
• Fraud Prevention Features: Advanced security measures to prevent misuse of the loyalty system.

User Journey and Key Use Cases

• Coffee Shop Owner Journey:

  1. Sign Up: Owner signs up and creates an account.
  2. Setup: Owner configures their loyalty program with customizable rewards.
  3. Generate QR Codes: They generate unique QR codes for customers.
  4. Engagement: Track and analyze basic metrics on customer engagement and redemptions.

• Customer Journey:

  1. Engagement: Customers scan QR codes to earn rewards upon purchases.
  2. Notifications: Receive notifications about accumulated rewards.
  3. Redemption: Customers redeem rewards directly by scanning the code.

Technical Requirements

• Frontend: Use Vue.js to create responsive and interactive user interfaces.
• Backend: Implement Django for quick deployment of APIs and data management.
• Database: PostgreSQL for data storage concerning user accounts, rewards, and transactions.
• Hosting: AWS for reliable hosting and scalability options.

2. Feature Prioritization

MoSCoW Analysis

• Must-have:

  • QR Code Loyalty System
  • Reward Redemption Tracking
  • Admin Dashboard
  • User Signup

• Should-have:

  • Customer Notifications
  • Feedback Mechanism

• Could-have:

  • Advanced Analytics Dashboard
  • Marketing Automation

• Won’t-have:

  • Fraud Prevention Features (initially)

Reasoning Behind Prioritization

The primary goal is to validate the core concept of BaristaCard and engage early coffee shop owners and customers with a valid loyalty solution. Features that directly impact user engagement and operational management for shop owners are prioritized.

Dependencies Between Features

• The QR Code Loyalty System is dependent on the User Signup feature, as users need an account to personalize their loyalty program.
• The Admin Dashboard is crucial for shop owners to set up the loyalty system before entering the customer engagement phase.

3. Development Timeline and Milestones

Timeline

Given the AI-assisted development capabilities, the projected timeline for the MVP development is approximately 3-4 months with the following key milestones:

1. Month 1:

   • Team formation and setup.
   • Core feature development for the QR Code Loyalty System and User Signup.

2. Month 2:

   • Develop Reward Redemption Tracking and Admin Dashboard.
   • Initial testing of features.

3. Month 3:

   • Implement Customer Notifications and Feedback Mechanism.
   • Start alpha testing with a closed group of coffee shop owners.

4. Month 4:

   • Conduct beta testing with selected coffee shops.
   • Incorporate user feedback and prepare for the launch.

Key Milestones

• End of Month 1: Completion of QR Code Loyalty System and User Signup functionalities.
• End of Month 2: Full completion of Admin Dashboard and initial testing feedback.
• End of Month 3: Customer Notifications implemented and feedback collected.
• End of Month 4: Launch BaristaCard MVP; begin user acquisition.

4. Success Metrics and Validation Criteria

KPIs to Measure MVP Success

1. User Engagement Rate: Measure how many users actively use the loyalty program once set up.
2. Redemption Rate: Percentage of rewards redeemed by customers as a sign of engagement and effectiveness.
3. Growth of Early Adopters: Number of coffee shops signed up and actively using the solution.
4. Customer Satisfaction: Gather feedback scores from coffee shop owners and their customers.

User Feedback Collection Methods

• Surveys after onboarding completion for coffee shop owners and customers.
• In-app feedback tools allowing users to report issues or suggestions directly.
• Periodic interviews or focus groups with pilot users to gauge user experience.

Criteria for Iteration or Pivot

• If less than 30% of coffee shops signed up engage actively within the first two months, reassess features and offer orientations/training for owners.
• If feedback indicates significant challenges with usability (ratings below 3 out of 5), prioritize user interface redesign or feature simplification before further development.

5. Resource Requirements

Lean Team Composition

• 1 Product Manager: To oversee product development and team management.
• 1 Software Developer: For backend development (Django).
• 1 Software Developer: For frontend development (Vue.js).
• 1 UX/UI Designer: To create user-friendly interfaces.
• 1 Marketing Specialist: To manage go-to-market strategies and user acquisition efforts.
• 1 Support Specialist: For customer feedback and onboarding.

Estimated Budget Range

• Total budget expected to be in the range of $70,000 - $120,000 considering development costs, team salaries, and marketing spends.

Third-party Tools or Services to Consider

• Stripe for payment processing.
• AWS for hosting and cloud services.

Technical Infrastructure Needs

• Development tools for version control (e.g. GitHub or GitLab).
• Collaboration tools (e.g. Slack, Trello) for team communication and task management.

This comprehensive MVP plan for BaristaCard is structured to validate the core assumptions behind the business model while keeping a lean approach in both resource allocation and rapid development. The focus remains on user engagement for both coffee shop owners and consumers, ensuring BaristaCard’s market entry is successful and sustainable.