3 valuable clues for a successful proof of concept (PoC) in 2022

1. What is a proof of concept?

Before forming an idea, we need solid and practical evidence to prove it works. Ideation is exciting, but without putting your idea through its paces, you may not end up with the product you expect. Therefore, we have PoCs or proofs of concept. It answers the big question of whether the hypothesis can be advanced.

A PoC is a demonstration of a particular idea or method to prove its feasibility. It's a way to test whether a specific idea of business can be turned into a profitable venture. A PoC can take any form, depending on the type of business. It could be a video demonstrating an idea, something described in a document, or an early prototype of a product.

2. What does the proof of concept consist of?

Creating a proof of concept depends on the type of business, but there are certain things you should include in your PoC. The purpose of a PoC is not to find out the commercial aspects of your business, nor to explain the full functionality of your product.

A PoC is only focused on validating aspects of the software or idea, not the whole. It should list main insights that generate team confidence in the product or identify issues/risks related to its implementation.

A proof of concept in the software development lifecycle is essential for the following reasons:

• A PoC document defines the likelihood of users adopting or using a product.
• It helps determine whether an idea is technically feasible.
• List any technical issues or potential risks (if any) associated with the implementation and its resolution.

3. How to create a successful proof of concept?

A successful proof of concept (PoC) precedes the actual implementation of an idea. A proof of concept aims to determine the feasibility of an idea. Overlooking or skipping it is not a good business decision, especially when the business stakes are high.

Step 1: Conducting research and development

When writing a proof of concept, the first thing that comes to mind is R&D. Technical teams should conduct extensive research into the history of similar work done or being done around the world.

If nothing else, the next step is to analyze existing guides, PDFs, academic articles, or tutorials that serve as the team's primary reference point. If not readily available, consider your novel. If you're in the right place, we can mark you as a major pioneer!

However, there are no "how-to" references in the proof of technical feasibility of a stand-alone project. So the development team is left with three things.

• Instincts that come with experience B.
• Skills based on knowledge C.
• Curiosity to try new things.

Thus, by combining the art of technology with the understanding of the development team, the unique path of PoC is highly achievable.

Building a PoC can take some time and sometimes it seems impracticable. But the key here is to challenge the technical prowess of the team. When your business is still developing, setting your own standards can help you achieve success.

Step 2: Clarify the need for the idea

After researching an idea, identify who needs it and why. To better understand the needs of your idea, consider listing the user personas your product targets and their pain points.

But don't assume things here. As you gather evidence at this stage of your project's needs, interview potential users and ask them questions about what they want and need to solve their problems. Consider conducting in-depth interviews or online surveys to make your proof-of-concept document look more authentic.

Find out your user's frustrations, enumerate their pain points, and get a sense of what they expect from your product. That way we can get to know our users better. After gaining these insights, you may consider revising your ideas.

For an in-depth guide on how to better discover your product's potential, check out our ultimate guide to product discovery.

Step 3: Check the Feasibility of Your Idea

A successful proof of concept must ensure that the idea is technically feasible.

In addition to finding the right tech stack needed to implement your idea, you also need to find answers to the following questions while checking feasibility.

• How difficult is it to bring your idea to life?
• What 3rd party tools are required for implementation?
• How much does installation cost?
• What about product scalability? Can you grow and generate profits?
• What are the risks associated with implementation?

You can find proof-of-concept templates online or create your own to present your collected responses in front of investors and other company stakeholders. If everything looks good, you should look for technical alternatives available to implement your solution.

The ultimate goal is to minimize the cost of implementation and the associated risks.

4. Conclusion

A proof of concept answers purely whether the technology under consideration achieves the purpose for which it was designed. And knowing exactly what to expect when building a PoC is always essential.

When building PoC for a software development project, common aspects of an app that require proof are:

• APIs on the market
• Security technology
• Custom Control

If a startup is excited to try something they've never tried, hiring a technology partner for app development is a great strategy to try. This decision is like killing two birds with one stone. 

If you are considering offshore development, please feel free to contact us.

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