Bonus - Concepts, Differences, and Examples PoC, MVP, and Prototype
Concepts, Differences, and Examples: PoC, MVP, and Prototype
When launching a new product, it is essential to understand what users truly want before bringing it to market. This ensures that the product will solve real problems for real people. During the product development process, there are risks, and tools like PoC, MVP, and prototypes can help mitigate these risks.
But what exactly are a PoC, a prototype, and an MVP? This document clarifies these concepts, highlights their differences, and explains when to use each one. Let’s dive in!
Concepts
PoC (Proof of Concept)
- Objective: To verify whether an idea is technically feasible.
A PoC, or Proof of Concept, is a small project used by product and technology teams to validate an idea or concept and determine if it is technically viable. It is the first internal test version before further development of the product begins.
If the technology already exists or another company has implemented a similar concept, a PoC may not be necessary. However, for early-stage products, a PoC is essential for quick validation.
Why is it good to create a PoC?
A PoC saves time and money by ensuring that the idea works before advancing to more extensive development. Without this validation, investing time and resources into something that might not work would be wasteful. Additionally, a PoC helps reduce the initial risks related to a product’s feasibility and allows for experimenting with different technologies and approaches at a low cost. This flexibility can give a competitive edge, especially when developing a completely new product.
When to create a PoC?
A PoC is the first step in developing a complete product. You should consider creating a PoC if:
- You are developing a new product with an idea that hasn’t been tested before.
- You want to confirm the feasibility of your idea before investing time, effort, and resources in full development.
- You need to verify the industrial utility of your product to secure initial investment.
- You plan to share the product internally with your team to align on the concept.
Prototype
- Objective: To provide the first representation of what the product will look like and how it will function.
A prototype is the first tangible representation of your product. It helps test the fundamental flows of how the product works. For example, if you’re developing an app, a prototype could be the initial set of screens that allow you to visualize how users will navigate through the app.
The primary difference between a PoC and a prototype is that a PoC focuses on validating whether the product or feature can be developed, while a prototype demonstrates how it will be developed.
Why is it good to create a prototype?
Prototyping saves both time and resources. It enables low-cost testing, revealing potential flaws before a full product is built. Through a prototype, you can gather valuable feedback from potential customers, helping you make adjustments and improve the project.
⚠️ Not all prototypes are the same. Their complexity varies depending on the project. The important thing is to define what a prototype means for your project, develop it, test it, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments.
When to create a prototype?
Some indicators that suggest you should start developing a prototype include:
- You want to get a sense of the product and see how it will look in the long term.
- You have limited time and money but need to present your idea, product design, and user experience flow to your team or investors.
- Your goal is to design a product with an excellent user experience flow.
MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
- Objective: To launch and iterate based on user feedback.
An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of a product that delivers the most value possible to the user. Unlike a prototype, an MVP is a fully functional product that is released in a limited scope to test its performance in the real world and gather quick feedback for improvement.
The complexity of an MVP varies depending on the product. The key question to ask is: what is the minimum I can build to test my product in the real world while delivering the maximum value to the user?
Why is it good to create an MVP?
Similar to other concepts, an MVP minimizes expenses because it requires less time and money for development. It allows for iterations and improvements based on real feedback. The MVP is also a useful tool for testing market fit: will people use it? Will they like it?
When to create an MVP?
An MVP is not a finished, mature product but is the last stage before full-scale development. It’s a good idea to create an MVP when you want fast feedback from users, when you need to test activation and retention before making significant investments, and when you want to invest minimal time and money while gaining greater security about your product.
What are the Differences Between PoC, Prototype, and MVP?
The table below provides a clear comparison of the differences between a PoC, a prototype, and an MVP:
| Parameters | PoC | Prototype | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective | Is my idea technically feasible? | How will my product look and work? | Will my product be viable? |
| Purpose | Validate technical viability | Validate design and user flow | Test in a real-world setting and iterate |
| Best Scenario | Trying something new or disruptive | Presenting to investors or testing design | Launch a minimal product to test market fit |
| Implementation | Internal technology validation | Clickable mockup without coding | First fully functional version |
| Interaction | For internal use | Show potential flow to stakeholders | Test with early users |
| Technical Resources | Requires some technical knowledge | Fewer technical resources required | Requires full development team |
| Risk Mitigation | Reduces the risk of technical failures | Reduces user dissatisfaction with the flow | Reduces the risk of wasted development time |
| When to Use | When you’re unsure about feasibility | When you need to present a concept or flow | When you want real user feedback in the market |
| Outcome | No user interaction | Can attract investments | Can generate early sales and feedback |
In conclusion, each tool—PoC, prototype, and MVP—has its unique role in product development. Depending on where you are in the process, each one offers different insights and helps mitigate various risks, from technical feasibility to user experience and market fit. By using these tools effectively, you can ensure that your product development process is more informed, strategic, and efficient.