Pilots, Prototypes, and Proofs of Concepts

Testing your idea

To test your idea it needs to be more than thoughts in your head. You’ll need to create a prototype, pilot, presentation, or combination of these to demonstrate your idea and observe the results. 

Types of Tests

• Proof of Concept – a limited demonstration of a critical component of the idea to demonstrate feasibility and potential of working. These are usually limited in scope and may not be fully complete only demonstrating a part of the idea.
• Prototype – a rudimentary working model of a product, service or system that is built for demonstration purposes.
• Pilot – a feasibility study or experimental trial. Small scale and short term experiment to learn how a larger implementation might work in practice.

The key purpose of testing is to prove whether or not an idea has the potential to work. Feasibility needs to be proven with regards from a technical perspective (is there new technology and does it work and do what is expected?) and business perspective (will customers use and/or pay for the idea?)

Typically, testing and the feasibility analysis focuses on the most critical technology and business challenges. For example, will students use a new learning tool even if it is given to them for free? If they use it does it positively impact outcomes such as grades or competency?

Read:
Failure is the best Medicine

Activity: Complete the Testing Plan section in the workbook and then carry out your plan. You’ll need to think about how you want to demonstrate your idea, who the appropriate audience is to get feedback from (people who will be directly impacted by the idea is a good place to start), and the schedule for your testing.

Testing Tips:

Wireframing – Useful activity for apps, websites, and other ideas that will eventually live on a screen

Focus Group Checklist – This checklist includes steps on how to plan, run, and review results of focus groups. Focus groups allow you to show your idea to a group of people and receive focused feedback.

Survey Tips – Easy steps for building surveys in tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, and Qualtrics. Surveys allow for you to quickly reach out to a large number of people to get feedback on your idea.

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