Venture Validation
Solution ValidationNow that you’ve identified a meaningful problem, it’s time to leverage user-centric design to validate a new solution. Tools in this section will help you engage in co-creation with users, build initial prototypes, and gain early feedback. Findings surfaced during solution validation may require that you pivot and go back to the opportunity discovery phase for additional research.
Design
Solution Outline
Tactics to collate co-creation findings and to help guide the creation of prototypes.
Journey Mapping
This is a tool to visualize the various steps or actions someone takes as they use a product in order to accomplish a goal.
Mood Board
A visual representation of different sources of inspiration for a new offering.
Blog Post
Gain initial and quick feedback through sharing a post on your proposed new offering.
Design
Co-Creation
Interactive activities to design a solution in collaboration with the target user.
Card Sort
Identifying desirable solution attributes and features through an interactive card activity.
Crowdtesting
Get help narrowing down solution ideas by having a group of target users decide
Focus Groups
Group discussions to gather diverse opinions and insights.
Product Sort
Understand where your proposed solution lives in the mind of the target user.
Solution exploration interviews
Interviews conducted with users that explore an early version of your solution.
Recruiting Target Users
Contacting and scheduling research participants based on predetermined criteria
Iteration
Create Higher-Fidelity Prototypes
Prototypes that more accurately reflect what your solution will look like for detailed user feedback.
Clickable Prototype
Interactive prototype that allows users to simulate how they would use it.
Concierge Prototype
Provide a concierge service to a potential user meant to simulate your solutions value
Prototype Creation
Gather Early Feedback
Methods to gain feedback on the new offering when its features and structure are still being defined
Online Survey
Digital questionnaires to gather structured feedback from a large audience
Landing Page
Gauge interest in the product by offering sign-up to be it’s early adopter
Brochure or Sales Sheet
Sharing marketing materials with prospective customers to get feedback before the offering is built
Ad Testing
Designed to test core value propositions of your solution.
Iteration
Validate with Customers
User feedback methods suitable when the offering’s features and attributes have high degree of detail
Price Testing
Methods to determine the right price for your product.
Cold Outreach
Direct sales calls to introduce your offering to potential customers.
Usability Testing
Structured tests to evaluate the user-friendliness of your solution.
Prototype Creation
Create Low-Fidelity Prototypes
Demonstrate initial thoughts for a new offering by sketching it out.
Paper Prototype
Ultra low-cost sacrificial prototypes to get initial feedback from users
Design
Business Case
Outline what your solution is, whats required to get it built and what return on investment may be expected
Lean Canvas
Framework to holistically think through how your new solution will work
Business Modeling
Create financial scenarios based on forecasted revenue and costs.