Proof of concept in software development refers to a small-scale implementation that’s designed to validate an idea’s feasibility before full development.

Decision makers rely on PoCs to assess technical viability, potential challenges, and overall project direction. That way, they can minimize risks, secure stakeholder buy-in, and determine if further investment in development is justified.

While mistakenly used interchangeably, PoC software development isn’t the same as prototyping and MVPs.

A PoC tests feasibility, focusing on whether an idea can be built. It’s a small-scale experiment to validate core functionality.

A prototype, on the other hand, is an interactive model used to visualize design and user experience without full functionality.

As for a minimum viable product (MVP), it’s is a functional, market-ready version with essential features to gather user feedback.

So, while a PoC proves technical viability, a prototype refines design, and an MVP launches a usable product for real-world testing.

Proof of concept development offers numerous benefits as it validates the feasibility of an idea before investing significant time and resources.

It helps identify technical challenges, assess risks, and determine if the concept aligns with business goals. Therefore, it prevents costly failures and ensures development efforts are worthwhile.

Developing a PoC also builds confidence among stakeholders, attracting potential investors and securing buy-in. Further, it streamlines the decision-making process, allowing teams to refine their approach before committing to full-scale development.

The time required to create a PoC will vary according to factors like your project’s complexity, scope, and resources.

That said, speed is the ultimate goal for PoC software development. So, your development partner will do their best to deliver working software quickly.

Upon creating it, a PoC is successful if it meets predefined objectives such as technical feasibility, performance benchmarks, and problem-solving capabilities.

Once presented, its success can be determined via positive user feedback, alignment with business goals, and the ability to attract funding or stakeholder buy-in.

A PoC is also considered a success if it demonstrates that a concept is viable for further development, minimizing risks before full-scale investment.

Several factors can affect the cost of developing a PoC, including complexity, industry, development time, technology stack, and team expertise. For an accurate quote, please provide us with as many details as possible so that we can best understand your project.