// Coding
What is Proof of Concept (POC) in Software Development
// Coding
Some companies, but more often startups, face the problem of false values. Basically, this problem occurs when the original idea was scantily considered. In this case, the project is already moving at the beginning of the development along the wrong path. If you started development with a small MVP and failed, it's not so sad. Much worse, if you spent several tens of thousands of dollars, several months, and a startup was a failure even though if it was a crypto exchange software. This is very sad, although it happens quite often in the startup industry.
To avoid risks and release a completely successful project, it is necessary to test and proof of concept (POC) before the beginning of software development. This stage is not deservedly missed, although it is one of the most important in the process of developing a software product. There is no need to conduct any coding or design. This stage is much easier and quicker in its implementation. In addition, it can help to find the weaknesses of the product and to understand how your idea is relevant. Proof of concept increases the chances of a successful startup.
Proof of concept is the testing of the finished product based on the idea. Thus, this stage is the first phase in the design of the application. It explains how the project should work on the basis of a detailed description of requirements and specifications. The proof is a complete satisfaction of those functions that need to be realized. This approach makes it easier to hire developers for a startup in the future.
In order to confirm the concept in software development, it is necessary to determine the main tasks and perform the following steps:
1. Identify project goals and methods for their implementation.
2. Receive feedback from users and customers.
3. Correct the idea and start implementing.
Before you start, you need to understand what goal will perform a project. A web project can be a large marketplace or social network with unique features and a convenient solution. Also, it may be a CRM system and help the business to increase sales or improve the accounting of business resources. One way or another, each platform has a specific purpose. For example, take our project mircen.kiev.ua. It allows users to compare the prices of online stores. This is a large web application that has been developed for 12 months. Before the development, we made a full analysis of the idea and determined the goal of the project - to help people find the best offer among all online stores in the region.
The next step is to build methods of achieving the goal. At this stage, it is important not to delve into the details, but to evaluate common elements. How the project will work, what functions will be implemented, how the web application will interact with users, etc. It is very important to consider each item and write it down in the report. In fact, this is a small brainstorm. Typically, it takes from a few days to a couple of weeks. When the implementation plan is completed, you can begin to collect feedback from future users.
When you have a ready document with a description of the project and the functions, then you need to get feedback from users or customers. Offer them your solution to a particular problem. Familiarize them with the implementation methods. You will receive many suggestions for improvement. At this point, some of your guesswork will be broken. It is important to listen and collect feedback. There is no need to hurry and change the concept or implement everything that future users are asking for. They don't have an expert evaluation and this is only their proposal.
It is at this stage that the final proof of the concept takes place. Having received feedback, you can clearly understand how users will interact with your project. What emotions it will cause. It is necessary to understand that this is a preliminary evaluation of the concept. Some recommendations may not have value, as others can significantly affect the further development. Thus, based on the information received, it is necessary considering what can be changed to make the project more convenient. If you received a lot of negative feedback, it makes sense to stop the development process. Or at least think about a new improved version. So, if you really decided to start the development, we recommend starting the design with MVP. The minimal version will allow to develop the project in the shortest possible time and check the idea on real users.
Proof of the concept is one of the important stages in the development of complex and expensive projects. It allows with high probability to determine the value of the project even before the begins development. Typically, the process takes from a few days to a couple of weeks. It gives a clear idea of how the project will work and what functions it will perform. If you approach the feedback analysis process with a clean head, this step in the future can save you money and time.
