When developing a digital product, speed is the priority, and product\/market fit is the goal. You need to get the product into users\u2019 hands fast so you can begin the learning process and validate your idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to do that is to launch a minimum viable product (MVP), and the innovation stack is the MVP\u2019s best friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A digital product is made up of a collection of functions and features. A few of those features are core components of the product. They are central to what the product is \u2014 unique, proprietary elements that make the product special and compelling to users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But some, in fact, most, of the functions are not unique to a product. They are standard elements that support the key functions. They might include data collection, payment processing, messaging, and calendar interfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, when you\u2019re developing your digital product, knowing you have to get your MVP launched quickly, and that you have finite resources, where do you want to focus your attention? Of course, you want to focus on the core functions of your product that will add value. But you still need the supporting elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The innovation stack helps you understand your product so you can use existing, \u201coff-the-shelf\u201d solutions for the supporting elements, saving time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may have heard the terms \u201ctechnology stack,\u201d or \u201csoftware stack.\u201d While these terms have the same basic meaning, we prefer \u201cinnovation stack,\u201d because innovation is at the heart of digital product development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An innovation stack is a group of programs, technologies, or applications that work in tandem to produce a result or achieve a goal. It\u2019s called a stack, because the programs are literally stacked on top of one another, digitally speaking, in \u201clayers.\u201d The innovation stack is different for every digital product, but the basic layers include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within these layers are the tools, software packages, and solutions, that work together to make your product achieve its intended goal. This includes the existing technologies that can be plugged into your product to support the core functions, as well as the code for the core functions themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Example](\"http:\/\/digitalscientists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/ex_innovation_stack.png\")
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