Understanding what is POC (proof of concept) or MVP (minimum value product)

Both POC and MVP play an important role in the product or software development process. Both have a unique aspect to the product launch and serve different purposes. Considering they are relevant to each other, new entrepreneurs often get confused with what they actually mean and how they support a business and how to use each one. It is important to understand that both a product and software go through different stages while product and understanding both is going to determine, which is important.

One of the major differences between poc vs mvp is the purpose behind using it. POC is the initial stage where you come up with an idea or theory and want to check if it is feasible in the real market or not. In this stage, you want your product to be tested in a controlled environment, very often limited to clients or close colleagues. This gives an idea whether the product is fulfilling a need of the consumer and if there are chances of achieving success.

MVP or minimum viable product, allows businesses to learn about the product in a more detailed manner. Here you are able to find out how you can build a product by spending the least amount of money. Using the marketplace test, you are able to learn the feedback of people about your product and its potential features. Moreover, at the MVP stage of the product you also get to understand what a customer is looking for and you can make those changes and release it in the market.

Proof of concept is considerably the first step during the product development stage that helps the designer to understand if it is helping with the right problem. It is recommended to follow a short feedback cycle that enables you to quickly gauge the reactions and reduce the gaps between expectations and reality.

Minimum value product is considered to be the third stage of product development and it helps to understand a product’s sustainability. You are able to get various valuable insights, including demand, usability and features that can be implemented to ensure the product becomes more marketable. Here the changes that you make to your product is extremely easy to add and can be made with very low development costs. With MVP the chances of success in the market also increases at minimum costs. There are multiple things that one has to consider during the MVP stage, the target market, understanding if the technology is feasible, cost differences, cost efficiencies, etc.

After POC, the products or ideas still need to go through the prototype and MVP phases to ensure it going is going to thrive in the market. Once the product passes through the MVP stage, the developers can go through the pre-launch stage and follow the procedures to bring the product in the market. While proof of concept vs mvp have a major difference between them, they are meant to feed strategy, ensure efficient and cost effective methods are used and bring the product to the market as soon as possible.