Prototype, MVP, or PoC? Choosing the Right Approach

When you're bringing a brilliant idea to life, you'll face a common question early on in software development—Prototype, MVP, or PoC? Which one do you start with?

Each of these approaches serves a unique purpose, and choosing the right one depends on your goals, your audience, and how far along you are in the development process. This blog will break things down in simple terms so you can confidently pick the approach that fits your needs. Let's get started!

What Are Prototype, MVP, and PoC?

Before jumping into the comparisons, let's define these terms. Though they might sound similar, they are very different in their functions and the problems they solve.

What is a Prototype?

A prototype (short for "proof of concept model") is an early, rough version of your product. Think of it as a quick sketch or a mock-up that focuses more on looks and layout than actual functionality or code. Prototypes are used to figure out the “how”—how will this product look? How will users interact with it?

Key features of a prototype:

• Purpose: To visualize the product and refine the design.
• Audience: Used more for internal teams, designers, or stakeholders.
• Output: Non-functional, focusing only on design and usability.

Prototypes often use tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or even PowerPoint to create clickable demos.

Example:

Imagine you're designing a new app to book pet care services. A prototype could show what the app's homepage looks like, where the booking button is, and the step-by-step flow of making a reservation—all without the booking features actually working yet.

What is an MVP? (Minimum Viable Product)

MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product, which is a much more polished version of your idea compared to a prototype. An MVP is the simplest version of your product that works. It's got just enough features to be functional and to solve the main problem you're targeting.

Key features of an MVP:

• Purpose: To test the product with real users and gather feedback.
• Audience: Early adopters or customers.
• Output: A functional, basic version of the final product.

Example:

Taking the pet care app example, the MVP could include basic functionality—a home screen, a calendar to pick a date, and a button to confirm your booking. It doesn't have every advanced feature planned for the app, but it gets the job done.

What is a PoC? (Proof of Concept)

A Proof of Concept (PoC) is about testing whether your idea is technically possible. It's not concerned with design or even usability; instead, it answers the question, “Can we build this?” PoCs are often used to figure out whether a specific technology or approach will work.

Key features of a PoC:

• Purpose: To validate the technical feasibility of an idea.
• Audience: Internal teams like developers and IT architects.
• Output: A simple or experimental version of one feature or concept.

Example:

For the pet care app, a PoC might involve testing whether you can integrate a payment gateway (like Stripe or PayPal) into your app, even if the rest of the app doesn't exist yet.

How Are They Different?

Now that we know what each term means, let's compare them at a glance:

By identifying where you are in your project and what question you need to answer, you can select the right approach.

When Should You Use Each Approach?

Here's a closer look at when and why you'd use a prototype, MVP, or PoC.

Use Prototype When:

1. You're brainstorming product ideas. Need to get your ideas out on screen to develop a layout? A prototype will help. 
2. You want internal feedback. Prototypes are for your team or stakeholders—not necessarily for your customers. 
3. You're deciding on usability and design. Prototypes are invaluable for tweaking user flow and improving how things look. 

Tools for Prototyping:

• Figma
• Adobe XD
• Axure
• Marvel App

Example:

Before building Canva (the graphic design app), the team could have created a clickable prototype to test its simplicity and intuitiveness.

Use MVP When:

1. You're ready to test with real users. An MVP is perfect when you're asking, “Will people love this enough to buy/use it?” 
2. You want early feedback. With the MVP, you can gather data about which features to improve, add, or remove. 
3. You're ready to go to market. Launch your MVP to test the waters before investing big bucks in development.

Tools for Building MVPs:

• App development frameworks like Flutter or React Native.
• Web tools like WordPress or Squarespace for websites.

Example:

Dropbox started as an MVP with a simple explainer video. People signed up after watching the video, proving the demand before the product was fully built.

Use PoC When:

1. You're dealing with new technologies. Unsure whether machine learning or blockchain can solve your problem? A PoC is the way to go. 
2. You're tackling complex challenges. Need to integrate 3 different APIs? A PoC will confirm if it's even possible. 
3. You're pitching your idea. PoCs are great for demonstrating technical potential to investors or stakeholders.

Tools for PoC:

• Python or Java for building small experimental setups.
• APIs for testing integrations.

Example:

Tesla's autopilot feature likely started as a PoC, proving the viability of self-driving algorithms on a small scale before launching in vehicles.

Why Choosing the Right Approach Matters

Picking the right strategy can save your project from potential delays and high costs. Here's why:

• Minimizes Risk: If you jump straight into building a full product (without testing it as an MVP or PoC), you might waste time and money on something that doesn't work. 
• Speeds Up Time-to-Market: By starting with an MVP, you can get feedback quickly and refine your product on the go. 
• Keeps Goals Clear: A PoC ensures that your idea is even possible, while a prototype ensures that it's designed the right way.

Now It's Your Turn to Decide!

No matter where you're at in your software development process, think of this as your roadmap:

• Prototype if you're refining your idea or testing usability. 
• PoC if you're checking whether an idea can work technically. 
• MVP if you're ready to launch something functional and get real user feedback. 

Still unsure of where to start? Don't worry, many successful products began with trial and error. By taking one small step—whether creating a prototype, building an MVP, or testing a PoC—you're already on your way to making your idea a reality. Explore theerone for more insights.