Proof of concept plays a vital role in software development. Companies decide to create PoC to verify their idea, reduce the risk related to the development process and estimate the resources necessary to finish the ready-made product. In this article, we will show you why PoC is beneficial for software development and what to keep in mind when working on one.
If that’s the first time you hear the proof of concept (PoC) term, here’s a short explanation for you: it’s the first version of the software that’s created to show (particularly to investors and other stakeholders) that the software a given company is working on
- Will work in real life as expected
- Is workable
- Can be developed within agreed conditions (primarily budget).
Creating a PoC for software development entails at least three essential benefits. Let’s take a look at them.
The Benefits Of Creating A PoC For Software Development
First of all, creating a proof of concept can tell you a lot when it comes to the resources necessary to finish the end product. During the PoC phase, companies can make final decisions on the best technologies that need to be used and assess how much time it will take to develop software. It’s also a tremendous base to create a prototype.
Secondly, a proof of concept can reduce the risk involved in creating brand-new software. Thanks to a PoC, you can verify whether your idea can be executed, especially when it comes to development and budget conditions. As a result, you minimise the risk of developing a potentially not fully functional or too expensive software.
Lastly, thanks to a PoC, you can better understand the software’s limitations. You find out what can and cannot be done. This way, you can verify the initial idea and make an informed decision as to whether you should pursue it.
These three benefits are not the only ones, but they sufficiently show why proofs of concept are so popular in the IT world. It’s just a reasonable way to start with brand-new software development! In fact, creating a PoC can save you a lot of time and money, especially in the case when the idea isn’t worth the effort.
Three Steps To Create A PoC
1. Define The Goal
First of all, you need to define your goals. Of course, the main goal is apparent – you need to verify whether your software can be made. However, depending on the situation and the nature of your new app or platform, you may also have other goals. List them in order to see a bigger picture of what you want to achieve.
2. Map The Necessary Solutions
Secondly, map all the necessary solutions to create the software. You need different technologies for the back-end and front-end layers. Perhaps other solutions like cloud computing or machine learning are required as well. List everything you need in the development process.
3. Start Working On It
Once that’s done, you and your team can start working on the PoC. The last stage is based on testing and evaluating your proof of concept. Are you satisfied with the results? What do other users have to say? What needs to be modified? These are all valid questions that you want to be answered before going to the next stage.
Article created with cooperation with noaignite
