Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in an NDIS Context

/ Blog / By

In the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is adapted from its original use in product development. An MVP model refers to the simplest version of a service or support that can be provided to meet the essential needs of participants while ensuring value for money and effectiveness. Here’s how it applies to the NDIS:

Key Aspects of MVP in the NDIS

  1. Essential Features: An MVP in the NDIS context includes only the core features necessary to meet the participant’s immediate needs, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that participants receive timely support.
  2. Cost-Effectiveness: By focusing on the MVP, the NDIS can allocate funds more effectively, ensuring that participants benefit most from the available resources. This approach helps maintain the financial sustainability of the scheme.
  3. Scalability and Flexibility: An MVP allows for scalability and flexibility. As participants’ needs evolve, additional supports can be added incrementally or removed if they are no longer beneficial. This ensures that the NDIS can adapt to changing circumstances without overcommitting resources initially.
  4. Evidence-Based Approach: The MVP concept aligns with the NDIS’s evidence-based approach, ensuring that the supports provided are based on sound evidence and are likely to be effective and beneficial. This minimises the risk of funding services that do not deliver the desired outcomes.

Examples of MVP in NDIS Supports

  • Group-Based Supports: Group activities and therapies are often considered MVPs because they provide essential services to multiple participants simultaneously, maximising resource use and promoting social interaction.
  • Assistive Technology: Providing essential assistive devices that meet the participant’s immediate needs without including features that may not be necessary.
  • Core Daily Living Supports: Offering essential daily living supports such as personal care and household tasks crucial for the participant’s independence, safety, and well-being.

The concept of a Minimum Viable Product in the NDIS context ensures that supports are provided efficiently and effectively, focusing on essential needs while maintaining flexibility for future changes. This approach helps the NDIS fund the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective services that can adapt to participants’ evolving needs.