preloader
blog post

POC: What Does It Mean? What It Is, How To Do It, and Common Mistakes

Did you ever ask why you need a PoC and what’s the difference to MVP or Prototype? This article will give you a sense

Without proof that a marketable product can be shipped, product development initiatives cannot succeed. So, you need POC to show that your company idea or concept

When asking, “What is a proof of concept?” It sounds like a prototype or a minimal viable product, but it’s not either of those things. First, we need to figure out with definition of “proof of concept,” and then we can relate it to the other product development methodologies


POC: What Does It Mean?

Evidence gained through a rough project that can simply test the viability of a product concept, company strategy, or project plan is known as “proof of concept” (POC). In the health field, for instance, clinical trials are conducted to collect proof of concept for the manufactured medicine.

But a proof of concept accomplishes more than that. By soliciting input from team members, even those who would not have otherwise participated, a proof-of-concept helps to reduce the likelihood of unpleasant surprises.

Numerous sectors, including but not limited to the following, rely heavily on POC during their processes of product development:

  • Software Development
  • Business Development
  • Engineering
  • High-Tech
  • Healthcare
  • Cybersecurity

Gains from a Proof of Concept Approach

Similar to a prototype or “minimum viable product” in agile manufacturing, the proof of concept is an invaluable tool for gauging the viability of your proposal before you allocate big amount of time and resources into

A proof of concept ensures that a project’s proposed ideas and theories will work in practice. Since the primary concern of POCs is the project’s viability, no deliverables are generated

Some of the most significant gains from using POC in your projects’ first phases include:

  • The proof-of-concept (POC) helps decision-makers and investors evaluate the viability and future value of a team and project concept
  • Proof-of-concepts (POCs) provide invaluable user input to software companies in addition to insights on supply and demand in market, your target audiences, and pressing pain problems
  • Establishing proof of concept is crucial in the product development process. It is used as the foundation for your product’s prototype and minimal viable product

Read our related article about MVP and Prototype differences to get more information about PoC alternatives

Comparing a Prototype to a Proof of Concept

Creating a proof of concept may seem like developing a prototype, but the two serve distinct purposes. To put the concept to the test, the POC is a little project. Proof-of-concept is used to prove that an idea for a product can really be made.

An additional vital practice is making prototypes. Making a prototype is a good way to get a feel for how a product will perform in practice. Design, functionality, and layout are all shown. In this way, the prototype demonstrates how a product is manufactured, while the proof of concept establishes that the product concept is feasible.

That doesn’t rule out the possibility of a combination of the two ideas. There are certain things they both agree on. That’s because a working proof of concept communicates user input to the team, gives them a chance to explore new technologies, and demonstrates the viability of the idea to potential funders and decision-makers. It is common practice constructing a prototype when a proof-of-concept has shown a project can be successfully implemented

Comparing a Proof of Concept with a scaled version - Minimum Viable Product

If you want to get your idea to market quickly, you need to create a minimal viable product (MVP). A minimal viable product (MVP) is a stripped-down version of your product that yet provides enough value for potential customers to become excited about it

Proof of concept (POC) and minimal viable product (MVP) are two distinct iterations of a product that appear at various points in time and have different goals

Read our related article about MVP and POC to get extended knowledge

Quick Guide on How to Draft a PoC

Above, we established that a proof of concept is a project which, like any other, requires precise definition. The proof-of-concept (POC) process should be broken down into manageable parts, even if there is no universally accepted way to do so

Here are some guidelines for establishing a proof of concept to assist you:

Establish Your Measures of Success

Metrics or success criteria are necessary for precise proof of concept feasibility measurements. Whether you want to know if your proof of concept was successful, you should ask the client for feedback as part of the definition process.

Estimate Time and Effort

A proof-of-concept (POC) is a project in and of itself, however it is not intended to be the final product. You’ll have to make some educated guesses about how much time and energy will go into the trial project designed to prove the notion.

Limit the Purpose of Your POC

What activities and metrics are included in your POC pilot project will depend on its scope. You can’t expect precise findings without first defining the parameters of your proof of concept. If the scope is wrong because you didn’t properly analyze the project, the POC is useless even if it proves the idea works.

Select Your Assets

The selection of the pilot project’s executor is as crucial as the planning stage. You should prove that they reflect the abilities to carry out the work thoroughly

Summary

Without proof that a product can be shipped, product development initiatives cannot succeed. Evidence gained through a pilot project is known as “proof of concept” (POC) POCs are an invaluable tool for gauging the viability of your proposal before you put into valuable resources. Creating a Proof of Concept (POC) is similar to making a working prototype. A working prototype communicates user input to the team, gives them a chance to explore new technologies, and demonstrates the viability of the idea to potential funders and decision-makers. A proof of concept ( POC) is a project in and of itself, however it is not intended to be the final product. The POC process should be broken down into manageable parts, even if there is no universally accepted way to do so

CloudFlex is happy to build PoC for you. Contact us!

Related Articles

Contact Us Now

Looking for a solid engineering expertise who can make your product live? We are ready to help you!

Get in Touch