What is a Proof of Concept (PoC) and how can it benefit your company?
Enterprises often create a series of proofs and tests to execute a project or an idea. These proofs and tests spell out the conditions that are necessary to succeed, making PoC an important phase in the product development process that allows project managers to assess the feasibility of an idea.
In this blog, we will look at the importance of writing a PoC to help you get started.
A PoC aims to determine that an idea of a project or future product is viable. This approach is often used in businesses to assess the feasibility of a project before proceeding with manufacturing.
Although the terms "Proof of Concept" and "prototype" are mostly used interchangeably, there is still a significant distinction between the two.
Considering prototype; it is a working model that illustrates the actual components – for instance, the design, functions, and layout, whereas proof of concept only shows the idea or concept of a product.
A PoC template can be used by leaders in any industry to evaluate the business value of a predictable idea or project, identify issues leading to bottlenecks down the road, ask for feedback from associates, and propose the idea to stakeholders to show why they should move forward with it.
A PoC allows project stakeholders to explore the possibilities of a concept and find gaps between the concept and deliverables.
POC templates are used in a variety of industries, including filmmaking, medical development, and transportation – the terms and conditions vary by industry. However, it does not illustrate market demand or define the most efficient method of production.
A PoC tests a prototype of an application that is being built before it is provided to the client. The components of a software PoC should assist organizations in identifying technical needs or logistical challenges that may obstruct development.
The six basic steps of a Proof of Concept are as follows:
⦁ Ideation – define the concept and what it aims to accomplish, including the goals, scope, and resources required.
⦁ Decision Making – identify and coordinate with the decision-making team along with the stakeholders involved in the product development process.
⦁ Creation – create specific use cases to develop and measure success criteria.
⦁ Research – examine the idea's functionality in an operational setting, including the deployment strategy, design, and success criteria.
⦁ Testing – perform test cases including “positive” and “negative” settings to see how long it lasts and keep track of the outcomes.
⦁ Success – to assess outcomes and verify if they matched the defined success criteria, gather and discuss test outcomes with the stakeholders and team.
A PoC is a crucial phase in the product development process as it allows your product team and stakeholders to lay a firm foundation. Once your idea is validated, it's time to move ahead and go to the next stage to prototype your final product. Moreover, a PoC gives you plenty of time to prepare for the important preparatory stage, increasing your chances of commercial success.