The path that leads to having a successful software can be rough and bumpy. It can take a few weeks or long months. The way it goes depends on the product itself — on what functionalities it requires and how complex they are — but also on how you approach it.
Between having an idea and having a working product, there are some steps to follow and milestones to achieve. First, you need to validate your idea and build a proof of concept. Then, you collect feedback and build a prototype the first version of your product that actually works. Then you gather data, collect feedback, and introduce improvements to get to an MVP. And the path does not end there!
Taking a shortcut seems to be a smart move. Why would you waste your time on building a proof of concept when you could build a prototype straight away? Or show your precious idea to the public before they can buy the product?
Nothing could be further from the truth. According to CB insights, 42% of startup failures are caused by a lack of market need. And that is something that could have been validated before they started building their products — risking their time, energy, and money.
The validation of idea is a process that is parallel to the whole process of product development. You do that while doing the feasibility study, while working on the early proof of concept, while building a prototype. Passing these milestones positive mitigates the risk of a failute on more advanced levels — when you would risk more.
Software development is a complex process. Every step of this process brings some value that you don’t want to miss. Going through all these stages of software development, you are able not only to avoid gaps in your learning curve, but also to target your product to the right groups, depending on the stage of development.
