A recent project caught our attention here at STEPLY. A client is looking for a developer to build the app "Vaquejada Pro", with the goal of tracking events, rankings and results of vaquejada, one of the most traditional sports in the Brazilian countryside.
The proposal is clear: a functional MVP, with an event calendar, a ranking of cowboys, results, push notifications and a simple administration. All of this within a tight timeline, of 30 to 60 days.
But for a CTO who looks at the business with a strategic view, a few points become evident:
The real complexity of an MVP
Even a "simple" MVP requires care. The CTO needs to think not only about delivering V1, but about scalability and the user experience:
The app will have users in regions with low connectivity, which requires offline-first performance and an adapted UX.
Rankings and results require data consistency and integrity.
Push notifications must be designed efficiently, without overloading the infrastructure.
The administration panel must be secure and easy to operate by non-technical profiles.
At STEPLY, we always emphasize that the CTO must push so that the app is not just "one more" launched in a hurry. Even a backend on Firebase or Supabase needs to have a solid architecture, with access control, versioning and a foundation that allows it to evolve without rewriting everything with each new feature.
The role of technology in the product's success
It is not just about "coding the app". It is about ensuring that the app truly solves the pain of the end user. The CTO must look at:
How the event calendar connects with the daily life of the target audience.
How the ranking can generate engagement and recurring use.
How to ensure that the data is up to date and reliable.
How to make operations easier for the event organizers.
Here at STEPLY, we have experience structuring products that are born as an MVP but are already ready to evolve. With functional design, a well-modeled backend and an architecture that allows for growth.
If you are a CTO or lead a project like "Vaquejada Pro", count on STEPLY to help from conception to delivery.
We are experts in turning good ideas into robust and scalable digital products.