Dream Big, Start Small, and Take Action

Many people discover their most brilliant ideas while in the shower—it's a common phenomenon. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these ideas can indeed lead to meaningful change. The key is not to fixate on the first concept that comes to mind. Instead, shift your focus from the solution to the underlying problem. Why might your idea resonate with others? This understanding is crucial.

"Nothing is more creative… nor destructive… than a brilliant mind with a purpose." — Dan Brown, Inferno

Grasping the "why" behind your concept opens your mind to new possibilities. Innovation teams often utilize customer journey maps, which visually depict the steps a customer takes to achieve their goals.

Consider Alternatives

Once you have a clear understanding of the core issue your idea addresses, explore various methods to tackle it. This approach encourages creative thinking and may lead to novel solutions. While your initial thought may have centered around an app, consider non-digital alternatives or ways to enhance existing solutions. Remember, effective business hinges on establishing synergy.

"99 percent of success is built on failure." — Charles Kettering, inventor and holder of 186 patents.

It's essential to allow your imagination to roam freely beyond technical constraints.

Prototype, Prototype, Prototype

Reflect on the Apollo 13 mission, which faced a critical failure during its lunar landing. Faced with rising CO2 levels, NASA's scientists ingeniously created a prototype CO2 scrubber from materials they believed the astronauts had onboard. This quick thinking allowed the astronauts to replicate the process and survive. Prototypes are invaluable for testing ideas before investing substantial resources.

"God created a number of possibilities in case some of his prototypes failed — that is the meaning of evolution." — Graham Greene

Wireframes are a prevalent method for prototyping software products. Tools like Figma enable you to create lifelike wireframes, and you don’t need to be a UI/UX expert to use them. Here's a helpful tutorial for you.

Aim to produce numerous wireframes or prototypes for your key concepts. (Remember, you’ve already explored alternatives!) Present these to potential customers and key stakeholders. Your target audience can provide insights into their preferences, while engineers can inform you about feasibility, and marketing experts can assess profitability.

Strive for solutions that are desirable, feasible, and viable—these are the ideas that endure. In design thinking, a creative problem-solving strategy, successful brands employ rapid prototyping to discover optimal solutions.

Testing Before Development

You might believe that showing wireframes constitutes adequate testing, but there’s more to it! In addition to gauging customer interest, it's crucial to investigate whether a market exists for your concept.

Drew Houston effectively demonstrated this approach when he created a mockup video for Dropbox. This brief video was not a real product but a method to test market interest without committing to extensive development. He posted it on his website and tracked the traffic it generated. Smart, right?

You can adopt a similar strategy for your software product. Creating a simple one-page website with platforms like Wix can provide insights into your product’s appeal. A small investment in social media advertising or Google Ads can help gauge interest without diving into development.

Final Thoughts: Development and Funding

Funding and development should be viewed as final steps in your process. By this stage, you should feel more assured than before, having validated your concept's market potential. Your original idea has likely evolved since its inception.

You now have various options for development. As mentioned earlier, no-code platforms can be a practical choice, or you might consider hiring developers or engaging freelancers eager to collaborate.

Depending on your vision and execution plan, you may decide to pitch your idea to venture capitalists. Impress them by articulating the need for your product and its market potential.

Dream big, start small, and take action now.