How do you make a PoC, or Proof of Concept? 5 steps to applying this funny little word to your projects

By Inès Ikar

Published: 25 July 2025

Do you have a PoC?

If you don't know what a PoC, or Proof of Concept, is, this article will enlighten you.

The Proof of Concept is a system for analysing the feasibility of a project at the scoping stage. It's used a lot in the Agile method, to create a new product or service.

👉 This article is for you if you're wondering: what is Proof of Concept? what are its advantages and disadvantages? how do you launch a PoC and make it a success?

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What is PoC?

Definition of Proof of Concept

PoC stands for proof of concept . It is a method of assessing the feasibility of a project, mainly used in agile teams and in design thinking.

🔎 PoC is used to find out whether there is a demand for a product or service, and also whether it is feasible from a technical, economic and commercial point of view. In short, PoC is about finding out whether it's worth implementing a project 😊

A PoC can be carried out to validate a new project idea, but also to add functionality to an existing project.

The benefits of PoC

The main advantage of PoC is that it saves time in designing a product or service. In fact, this study makes it possible to decide at a very early stage whether the project is viable. If it is not, PoC helps to identify problems or obstacles and to find solutions.

It also enables an idea to be tested in practice, on a small scale, without committing major human or financial resources. It's an excellent way of validating a specific functionality, a customer need or a technical approach.

PoC also has a financial advantage, as it reduces the risk of launching a product or service that won't work. By limiting unnecessary expenditure, it optimises the allocation of resources from the earliest stages of product development. It's an all-risk insurance policy to avoid a large-scale flop.

What are the disadvantages of PoC?

Proof of concept is not without its faults, but these are more to do with the misuse of this method. First of all, PoC can lead to the premature abandonment of a project that was still viable with adjustments. We mustn't forget that innovation and creativity can save projects that are reputed to be unfeasible!

Secondly, the PoC cannot be used to assess the profitability of a project, particularly in the case of large-scale development. PoC must therefore be supplemented by other methods.

It can also give a biased view of the final product, particularly if the objectives or scope are poorly defined from the outset. A PoC concept that is too technical or too far removed from the customer's real needs may distort the feasibility analysis.

Finally, PoC requires time, resources and even specific tools. If it's not properly framed, it can lengthen the decision-making process instead of simplifying it... and that's the last straw 😅.

What's the difference between the MVP and the prototype?

The proof of concept should not be confused with two other methods of validating a project : the MVP (minimum viable product) and the prototype.

The MVP is a beta-test version of the product: it works and can be marketed, but does not offer all the functions that will be present in the final version. The MVP comes into play later on in the design of a project, when the offering has been clearly identified.

The prototype, on the other hand, comes into play before the MVP: it is the first test version, which is not intended to be sold. Its main purpose is to check the technical feasibility of the product.

	Proof of concept	Prototype	Minimum viable product
Usefulness	Demonstrate feasibility	Test design	Test operation
Duration	Several days or weeks	Several weeks	Several months
Players	Developers or researchers	Beta testers	End users
Objective	To test an idea	To present an overview of the project	Adapt the project based on user feedback

The Proof of Concept or PoC is an essential stage when launching a service or product that does not exist at all. It enables you to check the technical, economic and commercial feasibility of the product before embarking on the design phase.

Requirements for creating a PoC

Before you get started, you need to lay some solid foundations. Firstly, a clear objective: what are we trying to validate?

Functionality?
Technical feasibility?
A product development model?

Artistic vagueness is the sworn enemy of the PoC concept.

You also need to clearly identify the needs of the customer or end user. An effective PoC starts with a real problem to solve.

In terms of organisation, a small but committed team makes all the difference. You don't need a symphony orchestra. Two or three people, a suitable tool and a real ability to iterate are enough for this phase.

Finally, don't forget to define a precise framework:

a test perimeter
a timetable (even a tight one)
measurable validation criteria.

Otherwise, beware of the PoC that drags on... or worse, goes off the rails without anyone knowing why.

5 steps to a Proof of Concept?

Stage 1: Initiation or definition of the initial idea

This is where you set the objectives of the PoC: its purpose and expected results. It may, for example, be used to convince investors or simply to decide to launch the design of the product. The starting hypotheses must be precisely defined, otherwise the study will be biased. You should also explain how the idea and project will be implemented.

Stage 2: Planning or establishing the scope of the work

Here you define the targets of the PoC and the tools that will be used: a prototype, a documentary study, questionnaires, etc. You also determine what data will be collected and the duration of the PoC. Choose the scope of the test carefully (target customers, sectors, etc.) to avoid imprecise or erroneous results. The choice of success indicators is also important for demonstrating the feasibility and viability of the project.

Stage 3: Implementation of the PoC

This is the operational phase of the PoC. It may involve a desk study, tests or the production of a prototype, a first version of the product.

Stage 4: checking or analysing the results

The data is collected, analysed and interpreted. The aim is to find out whether the project is feasible and within what parameters (cost, timetable, resources, etc.). No decisions are taken at this stage, just the objective facts.

Stage 5: Conclusion or determination of the feasibility of the PoC

This is when the decision is made: if the project is feasible, do we go ahead with it or not? If it's not feasible, should we abandon it or look at another way of doing things?

Tools to help you create a PoC

A PoC without the right tools is a bit like a recipe without ingredients. It starts well, but rarely ends successfully.

Depending on the nature of your project - technical, functional or customer-focused - certain tools can make all the difference.

In particular, there are :

prototyping tools for rapidly modelling a product or interface, such as Figma or Sketch ;
project management tools for tracking tasks and scope, such as Jira or Trello;
technical tools for simulating integration, such as Postman for testing APIs;
no-code tools for creating a service or app in the blink of an eye, such as Bubble or Adalo ;
and user validation tools, such as Google Forms or Typeform, to quickly test an idea with real people.

👉 For a technical proof of concept, turn to platforms such as: Figma, Sketch, Jira, Trello, Postman.

👉 To validate an idea or a usage model, tools such as Typeform, Google Forms, Bubble and Adalo allow you to simulate a service without writing a single line of code.

The aim: to quickly create a realistic proof of concept, without mobilising the entire IT team.

Proof of Concept: example

Here is an example of a proof of concept for the creation of a training course.

The company defines its initial idea : to create a training course to help entrepreneurs build a viable business. The aim of the PoC is to find out whether this training project meets a demand and is commercially viable.
The company decided to carry out market research, interview target customers and develop a training prototype.
The company carries out its research and has its prototype tested by interested entrepreneurs.
The company analysed the results and found that there was strong demand, but that entrepreneurs also needed personalised support. The PoC enabled the company to calculate the minimum price of its training to be profitable.
The company decided to build the training course by adjusting the offer with optional personalised support.