When organisations look to build new digital products, the conversation often jumps straight to creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). While an MVP is a powerful way to test market fit, many businesses overlook an important step that can save both time and money: investing in a Proof of Concept (PoC) first.
A PoC is a small-scale prototype designed to validate core assumptions, explore technical feasibility, and test whether the proposed solution truly solves the intended problem. Think of it as your low-risk trial run before committing to the full MVP.
1. Validate Assumptions Before Heavy Investment
Every new product idea carries assumptions — about the problem, the users, the data, or the technology. A PoC helps test these assumptions early, using a simplified, working model. This prevents costly surprises during MVP development when changes are harder (and more expensive) to make.
2. Identify Risks Early
Whether it’s technical complexity, integration challenges, or user adoption concerns, a PoC helps uncover risks before they derail the project. By surfacing these issues early, teams can make informed decisions about how to adapt, pivot, or proceed.
3. Align Stakeholders and Expectations
A PoC is a tangible artefact stakeholders can see, use, and react to. This makes it far easier to align expectations across business leaders, users, and technical teams, avoiding misunderstandings that often arise from abstract discussions or static documents.
4. Reduce Costs and Save Time
Building an MVP is a significant investment. A PoC allows you to test the waters with a fraction of the cost and effort, helping you avoid investing in features or designs that may not deliver value. In many cases, insights gained during the PoC phase accelerate MVP development by clarifying requirements and eliminating waste.
5. Demonstrate Value and Secure Buy-In
For organisations that require internal approvals or external investment, a PoC provides a credible demonstration of value. Showing a working concept in action helps secure funding, stakeholder confidence, or customer interest far more effectively than a slide deck.
6. Build a Foundation for the MVP
The work invested in a PoC isn’t wasted. With the right approach, components, designs, or data models developed during the PoC can often be reused in the MVP. This ensures the transition is smoother and the MVP development is faster and more focused.
Final Thoughts
A Proof of Concept is not a replacement for an MVP—it’s a strategic stepping stone. By starting small, testing assumptions, and reducing risk, organisations position themselves for greater success when they move into MVP development.
Before committing the full budget to an MVP, consider whether a PoC could give you the confidence, clarity, and momentum you need to build smarter.
Before investing heavily in an MVP, contact Biz Hub today to discuss how you could start with a lower-cost PoC.
