What is Arundhati Darshan Nyaya?
Inferring unknown from that which is known.
You may have come across numerous examples and articles discussing the concept of MVP (Minimum Viable Product). Surely, you have encountered common examples of ice cream, skateboards, and doughnuts, among others. However, I have a slightly different interpretation of MVP. I closely associate it with the principle of Arundhati Darshan Nyaya, which can be loosely translated as "inferring the known from the unknown." Therefore, let's explore what is known and what is unknown in the context of product development.
How to know the unknown?
Of course user research. But when Henry Ford made cheap, reliable cars, people said, 'Nah, what’s wrong with a horse?' That was a huge bet he made, and it worked.
Given the constant advancements in software and technology, I believe it is not wise to solely rely on asking people for their opinions, particularly when it comes to creating innovative products or when you are already a market leader. Ideas and tools are easily accessible and inexpensive. Instead, how about creating something tangible and presenting it to users, actively seeking their feedback? Present them with something they have never seen before. While expressing this thought, I assume that we are discussing the design of non-critical products. By non-critical, I mean, a product if designed poorly, would not pose life-threatening risks. For example, medicine, defense, space exploration, and the development of autonomous vehicles - got the drift?
How do you make stuff for the unknown?
Here is an old Indian tradition called “Arundhati Darshan Naya”. During the wedding, the groom shows the bride the double stars of Vasishtha and Arundhati as an ideal couple.
Arundhati is the wife of Sage Vasishtha and is revered as the epitome of ‘chastity and wifely devotion’; an “ideal” wife. Arundhati is Alcor and Vasishtha is Mizar. Vasishtha is one of the oldest and most revered Vedic rishis or sages and one of the Saptarishis.
Usually, in a two-star constellation, one star is in the middle and the other revolves around the center. However there is something special about the Arundhati Vashishta constellation, they revolve around each other. Which signifies how a married couple must be. Sorry, I took a tangent. :)
Referring back to MVP. Arundhati star is very faintly visible - just like any ideal product or feature. Everyone has some idea about it but not really very clear. Therefore, the Arundhati star is shown in steps, first showing the brighter stars, and then, relative to that. Since it’s often not visible to the naked eye, you map a path toward the nearest clear milestone or reference point.
In the world of building products, I see a strong connection between making an MVP to finding a perfect product market fit. I call this “walking the MVP - Minimum Visible path.”
Arundhati represents the ultimate aspiration—an ideal product. However, to ensure everyone shares a common understanding of this concept and recognizes its exciting potential, it becomes necessary to lay out a clear path. When embarking on a product development journey, begin by leveraging existing knowledge and follow that initial route. As you progress towards an intermediate destination, the subsequent path will become discernible. By consistently moving forward, step by step, you will ultimately arrive at the destination of Arundhati—building an exceptional and an ideal product. This is also called as moving towards the North Star.
To conclude, as Designers, we believe we have a significant role to play in the process. When creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), numerous uncertainties arise, with various elements in motion and financial considerations at stake. It becomes crucial for all involved to ensure its economic viability from the outset. As designers, our contribution lies in making it not just functional but also "loveable."
So be it a skateboard, ice cream, a doughnut, or your first milestone star to reach the Arundhati, just add some love as a designer.