Product development explained: the way from prototype to pilot

In product development, the terms fly around you: prototype, POC, MVP, MLP, pilot. But what do these terms mean exactly? How do you know what you're getting and when? Remco Snijders, Business Technology Consultant and New Ventures Lead at Quatronic, takes you through the various phases of product development. This gives you a better idea of what to expect and how to work together towards a successful end product.

What is a prototype?

Building good software starts with peeling the business. For us, an important starting point in the process is therefore our design-thinking workshop, where we form and develop ideas. A prototype is often the first tangible step after such a workshop. It's a visual representation of the idea, allowing you and your team to explore the concept and validate whether the solution direction is right. A prototype is usually just a few screens or technical functionalities to get started with. The goal is simple: gather feedback to discover as quickly as possible which functionality is clear and what could be improved.

Proof of concept: does the idea work in practice?

A proof of concept (POC) tests whether the idea is technically feasible. Part of it can be a prototype, but a POC goes one step further. In a short time — think about a week or two — a basic version of the software will be built to show what is possible. This ensures that the idea is executable before more time and budget are invested in the project.

MVP: The minimum viable product

The term MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, has its origins in the startup world. The idea is simple: you're bringing a product to market that has just enough functionality to use, but no more than that. The goal is to get feedback as quickly as possible and to further develop the product. Startups often have little to lose and are therefore quick to deploy such an MVP. But make no mistake; such an MVP can also be very valuable for established companies. It ensures that you develop efficiently and only invest in what really works and adds value.

MLP: the minimal 'lovable' product

We mainly work for established companies and scale-ups. They have existing customers and a reputation to uphold. They often find an MVP not enough and prefer a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP): a version that is not only functional, but also provides a pleasant user experience. This is a more sophisticated version of an MVP. The MLP offers everything you need to make the product attractive to your customers without sacrificing quality and usability.

Pilot: the step into the real world

After developing an MVP or MLP, you often run a pilot. This means that you test the product in a limited environment with real data and users. In contrast to previous phases, a pilot is no longer a test, but the first step towards daily use. In this phase, you can detect and solve any teething problems before you roll out the product widely. This way, you'll learn from the first user experiences before the full rollout.

In practice: Natec

Bee Natec we started with a three-day workshop, followed by building a prototype in Figma in just half a day, giving management and employees access to a clickable and visual preview of the application. Their immediate feedback helped us determine the right direction. We then built a Proof of Concept (POC), a simple version of the app with only the basic functionality. Every week, we discussed progress with the customer and made continuous improvements. After six weeks, we delivered an MLP, ready for use in practice.

What is the best approach for your project?

Want to know how we can help you deliver value quickly and efficiently? Get in touch and find out how to quickly turn your ideas into a workable product.

Want to stay up to date?

Is now not the time, but are you curious about our blogs and articles? Then follow our LinkedIn-page and you'll be the first to know about our latest contributions and future events.

‍