Technology moves quickly. Although it may seem that new software hits the market at warp speed, the most successful organizations know that the early phases of a product’s development are crucial. Whether your in a startup, enterprise, or somewhere in between—your product or software development approach will define your ultimate success. Consider the following approaches to improve your shot at success.
Approaches to Software Design and Development
There are many terms in app design that seem to blur together if you’re unfamiliar with them. Proof of concept (POC), prototypes, and minimal viable product (MVP) are three such terms. Each term describes a different and very valuable step in the process of designing and developing apps and other technology. Consider these simplified definitions:
Proof of Concept
This stage is considered one of the most valuable milestones because it demonstrates your product’s potential. Consider this a way to prove that your idea can be developed. We often call it the “concept car.” A proof of concept with a polished UI can help investors or customers better envision product’s ultimate value. This phases is about confirming the viability and interest in your idea.
Prototypes
While the proof of concept stage is about vetting the concept and viability, the prototype stage is about demonstrating how you’re going to develop it. An app or product’s prototype is an working, interactive model. It should demonstrate the core user flows central to its purpose. This stage helps designers and developers identify potential problems early on. It is also a powerful tool for attracting investors and beginning the minimal viable product (MVP).
Minimal Viable Product (MVP)
A step beyond your proof of concept and prototypes is your MVP. Your Minimal Viable Product is the most basic version of your product that’s fully functional, with all of the essential features to prove it’s value in market. Essential features include the flows your team has defined as central to the core use cases, but also user accounts and other basic functions that support the use cases. The MVP gets your application in market as soon as possible because testing it on real-world users is paramount in product development.
Benefit of Proof of Concept and Prototypes
Just having a great idea doesn’t cut it in today’s highly competitive markets. That’s why startups and established organizations alike find value developing their ideas first with proof of concepts and prototypes. Benefits of these two stages in software design and development include the following:
- A proof of concept encourages teamwork and feedback, as everyone explores the concept and the market to prove that it has viability.
- Prototyping quickly brings the idea to life. It also gives the product management, design, and development teams a way to gauge the product’s features, complexity, and timeline.
- Assuming the idea goes to development, these approaches help get projects off the ground more quickly and with fewer hiccups because they help answer the key question: “Does it deliver value?”
- These stages work to attract potential investors, partners and market interest by proving out the idea’s viability.
You have big ideas, and proof of concept and prototyping strategies are effective ways for moving those ideas forward quickly. Consider the value of partnering with an experienced software design team that can do everything from your proof of concept, to marketing, to branding and to full-service software development. Learn more about Roket’s application design and development services today and the difference our partnerships have made for organizations in Pittsburgh and beyond.