PoCs Let You Accelerate by Removing Risk

World is full of uncertainty. Still, decisions must be made and business will have to evolve in order for a company to survive and thrive. We have noticed that the bigger the company, the more friction internal bureaucracy and structure cause in developing new products and services.   

One of the critical tools in a developer’s toolkit to battle this friction and gain speed is the Proof of Concept (PoC). A PoC is a small exercise to test a discrete concept or theory that could be expanded into a larger application. Here’s a closer look at why PoCs are invaluable in software development.

What is a Proof of Concept?

A Proof of Concept is a realization of a certain method or idea to demonstrate its feasibility or a demonstration in principle, whose purpose is to verify that some concept or theory has practical potential. It is a prototype that is designed to determine feasibility, but does not represent deliverables. PoCs help developers and project stakeholders understand whether a certain approach, technology, feature, or functionality is feasible and effective in solving a particular problem.

Why are PoCs Important?

Risk Reduction

The primary value of a PoC is its ability to mitigate risk. By developing a PoC, teams can test ideas without committing significant resources to full development. This can help avoid the costs and resource expenditure associated with launching a full-scale project that is either not feasible or not valuable to the end user. It allows teams to fail fast and pivot quickly, which is less costly and less risky than failing later in the development cycle.

Stakeholder Engagement

PoCs are also crucial for enhancing communication and engagement with stakeholders. They provide a visual and tangible way for stakeholders to interact with a proposed feature or functionality. This can be particularly useful in aligning diverse expectations and ensuring that the final product will meet the needs of its users. Stakeholders can provide early feedback that is critical to shaping the direction of the project.

Technology Validation

With the rapid evolution of technology, a PoC is an excellent way for teams to validate whether new technologies integrate well with existing systems. It also allows developers to gauge the learning curve associated with the technology, which can inform training and development needs moving forward. For startups and companies looking to innovate, PoCs can be a test bed for experimenting with cutting-edge technologies before implementing them in a more significant way.

Market Validation

For software companies, especially startups, PoCs serve not just as a test of technical feasibility, but also as a demonstration of market demand. By showcasing a PoC to potential users or investors, companies can gauge interest and gather valuable feedback that can influence product development or even pivot the product’s direction entirely based on user demand.

How to Implement an Effective PoC

Define Clear Objectives

Before beginning a PoC, it's crucial to define what success looks like. Clear objectives will guide the development process and help measure whether the PoC has achieved its intended purpose.

Limit Scope

A common mistake is allowing the scope of a PoC to expand, which can lead to increased costs and time. Keeping the scope limited will help maintain focus and control over the project’s direction.

Choose the Right Team

The team working on a PoC should ideally consist of individuals who are flexible, innovative, and capable of working quickly and efficiently. Since PoCs often require rapid adaptation and problem-solving, the right team can make a significant difference.

Review and Iterate

Once the PoC is developed, it should be reviewed critically by stakeholders and tested rigorously to ensure it meets the needs it was intended to address. Feedback should be integrated quickly, and the PoC should be iterated on to refine the concept further.

Case Vaisala - Proof-of-Concept done right 

Vaisala is a global leader in measurement instruments and intelligence for climate action. Even though they’re a company with a long history, they’re also a company with a tremendous capability and track record for innovation. They understand the value of utilizing PoCs to gain speed and study new market opportunities. 

Cirit helped Vaisala to create a fully functional PoC of a modern cloud service leveraging their proprietary data assets. Cirit’s team collaborated tightly with Vaisala’s to fully grasp the vision, make the correct technology decisions and find the best ways to implement the concept as fast as possible. The result was a PoC solution that enabled concept validation and further effective information gathering. You can find a link to the case here and also below.