Ideas are fascinating. Nothing can match the feeling you have when you finally settle on a revolutionary idea capable of changing the world. However, disappointment is grand when you realize it is not practically feasible. That is why proof of concept is an essential practice in the software development process.
In this blog, we will discuss what proof of concept is, why you need it, and how to use it in software development.
What is Proof of Concept (PoC)?
Proof of concept is a process in the software development lifecycle in which we decide whether a product idea is applicable in the real world or not. In this process, we also figure out which technologies you should use to develop it and whether users will adopt your product.
The intent behind the Proof-of-Concept approach is to receive early feedback on your idea and avoid problems in the future.
Why do You Need Proof of Concept?
- Testing your idea so that you can arrive at its best version before you launch it into the market.
- Ensuring you do not have to spend a lot of money on an idea that is not feasible.
- Showing stakeholders that your product idea is worth investing in.
Proof of Concept is essential because while you may be confident of your idea, you still need to ensure it is feasible in the real world. Also, stakeholders will not invest in it unless they are sure it will work. Also, a proof of concept will ensure that you can bring your idea to reality in the least possible time.
5 Steps to Building a Proof of Concept for Your Idea
Step 1: Proving the Need for Your Idea
Investing time and money in your idea will only make sense if people need it. Hence, the first step to building the Proof of Concept for your product idea is to identify your target audience’s pain point.
It is a crucial stage because you would certainly not want to assume anything. Hence, we interview potential users and stakeholders to understand their concerns. By the end of this step, we have a list of specific needs your product must resolve.
Step 2: Map Solutions and Get Feedback
In this stage, we host brainstorming sessions to solve the pain points we had identified in the first step. Then we evaluate each possible solution and see how it fits into the software development lifecycle in terms of competition, cost, technology challenges, and timeline. By the end of the brainstorming session, we have a clear idea of the solutions we need to include in the final product.
Once we have the solutions, we go back to users/stakeholders we interviewed in the first step and know their feedback. This way, we receive valuable insights as we move forward with product development.
Step 3: Build & Test the Solution Prototype
In this step, we build a prototype based on the solutions we mapped in the second step and test it with users and stakeholders for additional feedback. The intent is to track how intuitive the user interface is and see if we skipped any crucial feature.
Step 4: Create an MVP
The next step to building a proof of concept for your idea is to create an MVP. It is a fully-fledged solution that gives you the ability to test your product idea among a larger audience. This way, you can gather feedback for your product on a larger scale.
Step 5: Design the Roadmap
In the final stage, we design a roadmap of your project. In the roadmap, we outline everything we learned along with the recommended action plan for building the product. This roadmap acts as a blueprint for building a product that meets your end goal.
In a Nutshell
Proof of Concept can help you in ensuring your project’s success by saving a lot of time and money. However, getting a proof of concept will require expertise in product development and a deep understanding of the market. You will need a service provider who can do justice to your idea.
We help our clients save their time and effort by using proof of concept to test their ideas in the early stages. Then we refine these ideas to bring the best products to the market. During the entire process, we focus on the extensive use of data engineering and the study of human behavior. As a result, we have been able to develop products that have led to a maximum engagement.
Do you have a great idea in mind but you are not sure about it? Feel free to request a consultation from our MVP and Prototyping experts. We will ensure it comes into life with a brilliant product.
