Proof of Concept (PoC) Meaning in Software Development

Thinking of building a digital product using a Proof of Concept template?

A Proof of Concept can save you a ton of time and money. Find out how it spots potential issues and paves the way for success.

Imagine you have an innovative project idea. This could be really exciting, couldn’t it? At the same time, it could be very stressful because of potential risks and the possibility of losing time and money. Statistics show that around 70% of software projects fail – that’s a lot! It’s also why you should check the technical feasibility of your idea. A Proof of Concept (PoC) is something that can help you minimize risk at the very beginning.

What is a Proof of Concept?

A Proof of Concept is the first step to check if your idea is doable. Think of it like creating a very small portion of food to find out if mixing certain ingredients can bring a completely new taste. Sometimes it can fail, even for very good chefs. As a restaurant owner, however, you will not add a new item to the menu before tasting it.

As an architect, you can also make a Proof of Concept to determine if your idea of an eco-friendly house is right. You can create a small scale working model or even a single room prototype to check new materials of systems.

So, a Proof of Concept is an opportunity to check if your proposed idea is doable and has potential before you invest a lot of money in it.

The use of Proof of Concept in software development

In the software development world, the Proof of Concept plays a crucial role. It is where you test if your app idea is technically possible and meets user expectations. A Proof of Concept in software development is a simplified version of your application’s main functionality. You don’t need to create the whole interface or system – you just focus on the essentials. For example, if your mobile app is supposed to use an advanced algorithm for financial transactions analysis, the Proof of Concept could focus on that exact part.

This stage is used to test whether your business idea could be turned into something valuable or not. A Proof of Concept will provide the answer for that question and also give you a number of possible risks that may occur during your software development phase.

When you should create the PoC for your product? 

The Proof of Concept is a very important stage of software development but not necessary for every case. Each project should be verified by the development team and determined if it brings a value to the project or not.

You should definitely consider creating a Proof of Concept for further development:

• when you have an innovative idea – if your idea is new or uses a new technology, a Proof of Concept will prove it works.
• for big projects – the risk increases with the size of the project, and a Proof of Concept will help you find problems early on.
• when looking for investors – a Proof of Concept is a great way to sell your idea to potential investors.
• before big investments – if the project requires big money, a Proof of Concept will make sure you are going in the right direction.
• when you want to test assumptions – a Proof of Concept will let you test the main features of your app.

Remember to create a Proof of Concept as early as possible in the product planning phase, even before detailed design and full development. This will save you from costly mistakes later on.

Differences between Proof of Concept, Prototype and MVP

You might be wondering about the real differences between a Proof of Concept, a Prototype, and an MVP when kicking off your digital product. These are all used to hit different checkpoints in the race from brainstorm to launch. Each step has its own purpose and impact on turning your idea into something market-ready. Let’s explore what sets them apart and how each advances your idea forward.

• Proof of Concept (PoC): As we’ve discussed, a PoC is about verifying if your idea is technically possible. It’s a small test to see if something can be done. It focuses on the essentials and minimizes risks early on. Think of it as the first step to check if your idea is doable.
• Prototype: A prototype is an early version of your product that shows how it will look and work. It’s more developed than a PoC and is used to gather user feedback and refine the design. Unlike a PoC, which focuses on technical feasibility, a prototype focuses on user experience and design.
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP): An MVP is a version of your product with just enough features to attract early-adopter customers and validate a product idea early in the product cycle. It’s a functional product that you can release to the market to test your assumptions and gather real-world feedback. The goal of an MVP is to learn what works and what doesn’t, before investing more time and money in development.

The essential role of PoC in software development: 5 benefits

Diving into a Proof of Concept for your digital product is like doing a test run. It’s all about seeing if your big idea has what it takes to hit the market running. Here’s a quick rundown on the specific benefits of building a PoC:

1. Minimizing risk

Creating a PoC helps you identify potential risks and issues early in the software development process. Statistics show that a significant percentage of software projects fail, so a PoC can be a crucial step in minimizing the chances of failure. By testing the technical feasibility of your idea, you can avoid costly mistakes later on.

2. Verifying technical feasibility

A PoC allows you to check if your idea is technically doable. This is especially important if your project involves innovative or new technologies. You can test the main functionalities of your application and ensure that they work as expected.

3. Attracting investors

A well-prepared PoC can be a great way to present your idea to potential investors. It demonstrates that you have carefully considered the technical aspects of your project and that you are serious about making it a reality.

4. Saving time and money

Although it may seem like an extra step, a PoC can actually save you time and money in the long run. By identifying potential problems early on, you can avoid costly rework and ensure that you are going in the right direction.

5. Testing assumptions

A PoC enables you to test the main assumptions behind your project. This can help you validate your idea and make sure that it meets user expectations

How to create a successful PoC in 6 steps

Creating a successful software Proof of Concept (PoC) doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it as a test drive for your project’s key features, which will be documented in a Proof of Concept report. Below, I have described a suggested process for creating a PoC for your digital product from A to Z. These are the steps we have tested at Droids On Roids with our clients from a variety of industries

Step 1: Define the goals

Firstly, define what you want to achieve with your PoC.

• What are the key features you want to test?
• What questions do you want to answer?

Be as specific as possible.

Step 2: Identify key functionalities

Focus on the main features that are critical to your project. You don’t need to build the whole app, just the core components that need to be validated.

Step 3: Choose the right technology

Pick the right tools and technologies for your PoC. Consider their cost, scalability and ease of use.

Step 4: Create a simple prototype

Build a basic version of your app’s main functionality. This prototype should be functional but not polished or pretty.

Step 5: Test and gather feedback

Test your PoC with potential users or stakeholders and gather feedback. Use this feedback from concept tests to identify areas to improve and iterate on your idea.

Step 6: Evaluate the results

Review the results of your PoC and determine if your idea is technically possible and meets user expectations. If the PoC is a success, you can move on to the next stage.

With a PoC in hand, you can move forward to the next stages of development, such as building a prototype or an MVP.

Challenges in implementing a Proof of Concept

Creating a PoC does have its hurdles. It’s important to recognize them early on so you can address them properly and minimize risks. Here’s a quick look at some key ones to watch out for:

Defining the scope of the PoC

It can be hard to determine what to include in the PoC and what to leave for later. Too many features and it’s complex and time consuming, too few features and it doesn’t give a clear picture of the project’s viability. To handle this, define the goals of the PoC and focus on the core features to be validated.

Managing stakeholder expectations

Stakeholders will have unrealistic expectations of what the PoC can deliver. Make sure to manage these expectations by clearly communicating the purpose and scope of the PoC. Everyone should understand that the PoC is not a fully working product but a tool to test and validate key assumptions.

Time and resource constraints

Building a PoC requires both time and resources, which you need to plan wisely. Cutting corners to save time or money can compromise the quality of the PoC and deliver inaccurate results. Plan the PoC carefully and make sure you have the resources to deliver it.

Choosing the right technology

Choosing the wrong technology stack can cause technical issues and delays. Make sure to choose technologies that are right for the particular software project and the dev team is familiar with. Consider their scalability, security and integration with other systems.

Interpreting PoC results

Even if the PoC seems to work, interpreting the results can be tricky. The results are not always black and white, and drawing the right conclusions requires both experience and knowledge. A PoC might reveal unexpected problems or limitations that require rethinking the project assumptions. Be objective when interpreting PoC results and be prepared to change the project if necessary.

• Data complexity: Analyzing the data can be complicated, especially if the PoC covers many aspects of the project.
• Subjectivity: The interpretation of results is subjective, so involve different people in the analysis process.
• No clear answers: A PoC doesn’t always give clear answers and sometimes it will give more questions than answers.

It’s worth involving experienced people in the process of interpreting PoC results. They can help to extract the key conclusions and recommendations for the next step.

Proof of Concept template

Before you start a Proof of Concept, it’s good to have a structured approach. A concept template will help you to streamline the process, so you don’t miss any crucial parts and can document everything. Think of a PoC concept template as a roadmap that guides you through the validation of your idea and keeps you focused and organized. This is especially helpful when you want to define your project’s goals, scope and success criteria.

Click here to download the template.

Creating a PoC for your new digital product with Droids On Roids

At Droids On Roids, we’ve been creating Proof of Concepts for our clients for 13 years, ranging from startups through scale-ups to enterprises. We’ve done this for various sectors.

Music mode for OhMiBod app

One of our clients, OhMiBod, needed to introduce a music mode to their existing application. In this mode a Bluetooth device would vibrate to the rhythm of the music. At the idea stage it was not clear if this was technically possible. That’s why we suggested creating a Proof of Concept (PoC).

During the PoC development, we focused on the technical feasibility of sound analysis and sending vibration levels to the device. We also analyzed additional integration with Spotify. The PoC consisted of:

• A simplified version of the music mode feature.
• Testing the Bluetooth device’s ability to vibrate in sync with the music.
• Analysis of integration with Spotify to enhance the user experience.

We successfully delivered the PoC. The feature was shown at trade shows and, after positive feedback from potential users, we implemented it into the app, built on top of the PoC.

If you have an idea for a digital product and want to start with a PoC, we invite you for a free consultation with us. Let’s schedule a call!

Final takeaways for building Proof of Concept

A Proof of Concept is a vital first step in software development that can save you time, money and resources by validating tech feasibility before full development begins. By creating a Proof of Concept, you can reduce risk, test key assumptions, verify technical possibilities and attract investors with tangible evidence of your idea’s viability.

It’s not without its challenges – scope definition, stakeholder management, and result interpretation, to name a few – but a well executed PoC gives you invaluable insights to guide your project.

Remember a Proof of Concept is different from prototypes and MVPs – it answers the question “Can we build it?” before you get to how it will look and if people will use it. When done right with planning, clear goals and systematic testing, a PoC is a solid foundation for successful software development projects.