Scope at the Threshold
When a pre-sale hits its threshold, the first decision is scope: what exactly are you building for the people who paid? The answer should be narrower than you think.
Build
The Beta Test That Matters
Most beta tests measure whether the software works. The beta test that matters measures whether the workflow works.
The Hard Part
When building a document processing tool, the code is the easy part. The schema is the hard part.
The First Document
When building a vertical tool, the first document type you support determines whether the product has a reason to exist on day one.