Proof of concept (PoC) in software development is a way to test if a new software idea will work and be beneficial to users. It’s like an initial examination to make sure the software can solve real problems and is something people want to use.
In our guide, our experts discuss how proof of concept in software development ensures your app will meet the needs of many, paving the way to a successful software product launch.
Table of Contents
PoC Meaning in Software
PoC software development is a testing and verification methodology employed before starting the product development lifecycle. Its purpose is to meticulously test the validity of a software idea by providing evidence that the concept, proposed system, and its asserted application will be technically feasible. Software development companies use this process to ensure the solution will work to solve real-life problems for their target market.
PoC in software development does not require coding. It can be a document, a demonstration, a simulation, or a presentation. Through PoC development, software requirements specification is carefully mapped out in the initial phase of the process, providing your company with a vision for the final product.
Proof of Concept Development Steps
Having a structured approach is essential before fully committing to a proof of concept development. Clearly defining your project’s objectives and outlining the software development methodologies you plan to use helps every participant understand the plan from start to finish.
With that said, let’s take a closer look at the five steps to develop an effective PoC in software development:
- Step #1: Define Project Scope and Market Needs
- Step #2: Conceptualize the Right Solution
- Step #3: Produce a Prototype
- Step #4: Test the Prototype and Collect User Feedback
- Step #5: Create a Roadmap
Step #1: Define Project Scope and Market Needs
The first step to a proof of concept development is defining a project’s scope and the market’s needs.
An idea of a product is most likely based on assumptions. This is where PoC in software development steps in. It helps you find evidence to support these previous assumptions by determining the issues the software aims to solve. By beginning this step, you will know from the get-go if the tool you have in mind will serve a purpose.
The key is to communicate with your target audience and seek insightful feedback. By talking with your intended software users, you can identify their pain points and needs. You may follow these guide questions when defining your project scope and pointing out the market demands:
- What would you like to achieve with your new software tool?
- What value will your new software add to your prospective users?
- Is there an alternative solution to it?
- What is your timeframe from PoC development to completion?
- What will be the workflow to follow during the entire process?
- What resources will you need for the project to be successful?
We also advise you to narrow down your scope so that it addresses specific problems instead of trying to resolve multiple issues with one software. The scope needs to be accurate and has definitive goals to arrive at a viable proof of concept software development.
Step #2: Conceptualize the Right Solution
The next step is to gather your development team for a brainstorming session to discover various solutions to the pain points you identified during the first step. Now, in the conceptualization process, some of your assumptions will be clarified. This stage is also where you lay out the right metrics for your custom software development.
Once you have accurate feasibility measurements, you'll have a better understanding and a clearer direction for your software development program. In this phase of the PoC development, the project metrics and other relevant details can help you determine the potential success rate of your upcoming software suite. It allows you to visualize how your project can take you to its intended objectives and goals.
Step #3: Produce a Prototype
When you have the right solutions to tackle the formerly spotted problems, your dev team can proceed with the next step: creating the prototype.
The tools you’ll use depend on the nature of the software you plan on building. The prototype can come in the form of a wireframe, a mockup, or even a simple sketch. Whichever kind of prototype you decide to use, it should be most fitting for and can best demonstrate the envisioned functionalities of the designed software tool. The prototype should also ideally exhibit the proposed workflow and the entire UI/UX.
Step #4: Test the Prototype and Collect User Feedback
The fourth step of the proof of concept development is testing and assessing the prototype and collecting user feedback. Prototype assessment is the phase wherein you showcase the product’s potential success on the market to your prospective users and clients.
Throughout the prototype evaluation, you'll uncover the actual benefits of your system as a solution to real-life problems. It may reveal great features that have been overlooked. In the same manner, you will also unveil functionalities that prove unnecessary or useful but require some modification.
You may repeat the prototype testing as needed until you finally arrive at a satisfactory platform version. When you go past the testing phase, you can then gather user and client feedback. This does not mean you have to simulate a full-scale environment for full implementation.
The purpose of collecting feedback is to offer clients and users your software system and explain to them what it aims to solve and how it's supposed to work. After that, you can solicit feedback and even suggestions for improvement from actual people whom you target to use your tool. Considering this input will go a long way in helping you improve your software system.
Step #5: Create a Roadmap
The last step of the PoC development and writing is to consolidate everything you have documented during the first four stages into a well-structured roadmap. Your roadmap should include the following:
- Step-by-step development process provided with accurate details
- Vivid presentation of the goals and objectives of the software suite
- Learning and recommendation for enhancement of the software
- An SOP manual for the construction of the product
Successful PoC Software Development Factors
A PoC development project evaluates a software platform's feasibility and capability to address user and business needs. Below are four relatively common, yet, often overlooked factors to keep in mind when planning and reviewing PoC in software development:
- Having a Clear Definition of Success
- Collaborating for Alignment of Expectations and Goals
- Clarifying Future Steps From the Start
- Being Open to Learning and Evolving
1. Having a Clear Definition of Success
As a software developer, you should have your own clear definition of success based on quantifiable metrics and criteria. Moreover, the success of the software — from building to implementation to completion — needs to be achieved within your allocated timeframe while utilizing your available funds and resources.
To assist you with defining success, ask yourself the following guide questions:
- What is the company aiming at for developing this new software?
- What issues will it solve?
- Are there other software tools on the market that compare to ours?
- How will we stand out from these competitors?
- What new features or functionalities will our new software have to offer?
- Do we cater to specific business clients or general individual users?
- What is right about our system software?
- What can be improved in our system software?
- Will this venture be an enduring and profitable project?
This is why PoC in software development is critical in testing the usability of your envisioned output. Through proof-of-concept software development, you will see the compatibility of the system you're developing with existing servers and databases. It is the most recommended practice before you jump into introducing an entirely new software suite.
2. Collaborating for Alignment of Expectations and Goals
Your dev specialists’ performance should be founded on solid teamwork. Lead times should be definitively set, communicated within the team, and strictly implemented. Constant, open, and transparent communication must be practiced at all times. Likewise, expectations need to be set up front and properly disseminated to all team members.
Everyone involved in the proof-of-concept software development project must be on the same page and aligned with the company’s targeted vision and goals.
3. Clarifying Future Steps From the Start
Developing a proof of concept is just the beginning. It’s essential to establish a clear plan for your software’s future:
- Distribution platforms: Identify the platforms where your product will be available.
- Target markets: Determine the markets you aim to reach with your product.
- Expansion potential: Evaluate opportunities for future growth and expansion.
- Budget planning: Outline a realistic budget to support and scale the project.
Having a well-defined path helps prepare you to take your product to the next level. This strategic foresight can significantly increase your chances of long-term success.
4. Being Open to Learning and Evolving
Being open to learning and evolving is essential and crucial for continuous improvement and the long-term success of any project. Listening to measurable feedback can provide the following:
- Highlight strengths: Identifies the successful aspects of your PoC software development.
- Confirm weaknesses: Reveals areas where your PoC needs improvement.
- Measure success rates: Assesses the success versus failure rates of your PoC development efforts.
- Rectify errors: Provides insights to correct any mistakes in your PoC software development
It’s important to consistently increase your understanding of the health and life cycle of your development project as it progresses. Learning from past mistakes in your PoC development can help you adopt a more refined, forward-facing approach in the future.
Proof of Concept Advantages
Developing a PoC can save time and resources for organizations. Besides that, let’s look at the advantages of having compelling proof of concept software development.
- Evaluates Technical Feasibility and Practical Usability
- Determines Your Product Limitations
- Assesses Profitability and Expansion Potentials
- Accelerates Your Product Launch
1. Evaluates Technical Feasibility and Practical Usability
By writing a PoC in software development, you will be able to initially verify your product's technical viability and its potential to answer market needs and demands. The goal of creating proof-of-concept software development is to guarantee that the software you are about to build is based on realistic problem-solving objectives. Through well-structured and streamlined PoC software development documentation, you can indicate early on which long-lasting path you will be taking for your product.
2. Determines Your Product Limitations
Making a proof-of-concept software development helps you clearly understand your software product ideas and limitations. By weighing the pros and cons, you can explore various options and choose the most suitable direction for software development.
Additionally, understanding the limits of your product lets you set realistic expectations and make informed decisions. It also provides a foundation for future enhancements that ensures your product can meet user needs.
3. Assesses Profitability and Expansion Potentials
A PoC can help you arrive at sound and solid decisions regarding the allocation of budget and other resources necessary for creating a new software system. This is vital for launching your new product.
With proof of concept in hand, your company can recognize budget requirements, time constraints, and prospective ROI. This is because a PoC explains the evidence supporting how and why your software idea will work and will be used in the long term by numerous business clients and individual users.
4. Accelerates Your Product Launch
With a working proof of concept, you can quickly map out action plans for creating and introducing your new solution to the market. A PoC validates your workflow and perfects your product so you can expedite your launch. This approach helps you avoid unwanted surprises and mitigate potential risks along the way. It also ensures a smoother transition from development to market.
Software Development PoC Takeaways
Creating a PoC in software development is a crucial first step to building a valuable software solution, whether you’re outsourcing the development or handling it in-house. It lets you validate and turn your business idea into a practical reality.
Avoid skipping any of the steps we’ve outlined when developing your proof-of-concept software. When the pilot is ready, your new app is set up for success and prepared for an official launch. With the right PoC, you not only help your software development agency or dev team but also show potential subscribers your product’s usability.
