4 Steps To Build a Scalable Proof of Concept with Low Code

Bringing new ideas to market effectively and in a timely manner is essential for business. Especially when they want to stay competitive and innovative. Organizations need to validate their projects and determine their feasibility. Without Proof of Concept (PoC), it could be challenging. Companies will need help to predict whether a product will be successful. It will be difficult to indicate if the project will lead to a competitive edge in the market or result in excess resource utilization with minimal or no return on investment (ROI). 

Usually, developing PoCs itself is a sophisticated process. And with extensive coding sessions and constant back-and-forth between developers and designers, everything becomes even more complex and clunky. How can CEOs, CTOs, Product Managers, Dev Team Leaders, or Enterprise Engineers keep hands on a scalable PoC? 

To answer that, we’ll discuss the importance of building Proof of Concept with low code. Moreover, we’ll share a simplified understanding of what PoC software is and the advantages of using low-code platforms, like App Builder, to develop one. 

What Is a Low-Code Proof of Concept? 

A proof of concept (PoC) is the earliest model of a software solution (or another type of digital project, even a tech project). It determines the “feasibility” and “functionality” of the proposed solution. In addition, it also highlights the potential success and predictable ROI of that product. 

The primary goal is to help businesses and product developers weigh the ROI against the initial costs. This prevents the full-scale development of proof of concept software solutions that lack potential. 

When you look at it in the context of low-code app development practices, users develop a PoC using minimal hand-coding. They use visual tools and pre-configured models (and templates), benefiting from a “drag-and-drop” app-building experience. 

As a result, it allows even citizen developers, fusion teams, and C-level executives to participate actively. And that speeds up the ideation-to-execution process. 

Low-Code PoC Explained 

When we talk about low-code platforms, we refer to solutions that eliminate the need for time-consuming and hand-coding. These platforms take PoC development from an operation to an intuitive and collaborative software development operation that happens much faster. 

So, compared to traditional development methods, building and testing functional prototypes takes hours, not days, weeks, or sprints. Developers often use the drag-and-drop interface to generate functional prototypes quickly. 

This makes building proof of concept projects effortless so everyone can participate. In addition, businesses can spend more time on problem-solving and innovation with developers who can quickly test and gather feedback to improve PoCs and benefit from rapid deployment. 

Benefits of a Low-Code PoC 

Building PoC using low-code platforms has extensive benefits. It reduces the need for manual coding significantly while improving the collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders within the organization. 

With these benefits, your teams can test ideas faster and streamline the whole design-to-code process more smoothly. In the long run, this leads to effective resource utilization and informed decision-making. Here’s why low-code PoCs can be a game-changer for your organization. 

Speed and Efficiency in Development 

The primary advantage of building a PoC with low code is how quickly your team can develop and update the PoC. Based on 451 Research, low-code platforms can reduce the development time by 50-90%. Furthermore, a Forrester report indicated that low-code development can speed up the process 5 to 10 times. 

Low-code tools deliver pre-designed and pre-configured templates and visual tools that expedite the process significantly. It may take a few days to several hours before the idea is ready for testing and limited-scale deployment. However, traditional coding can take months to do. This is how you can meet tight deadlines and test products without long development cycles. 

Flexibility for Customization and Iteration 

The next big advantage of using low-code development is increased flexibility at shorter rates compared to traditional coding methods. In comparison, PoCs created with App Builder are scalable and have that by design, whereas the handwritten ones take extensive time from adding and modifying to restructuring. 

It’s important to note that manual coding requires developers to start from scratch when they have to incorporate vital feedback during the development cycles. However, according to a Gartner report, low-code tools offer you the agility for continuous improvement. You can make custom modifications and personalized PoCs to align them with user – and business – needs. 

Cost-Effectiveness and Resource Optimization 

Using low-code tools, your business can save costs when building Proof of Concept software. A traditional development methodology will require extensive resources, like coding experts and other tools/services. 

Since highly skilled developers are valuable resources that you must manage well, the overall cost and project timelines increase. On the other hand, using a low-code platform to build PoCs can save development costs and improve efficiency while leading to faster iterative cycles, according to an IDC report. 

It leads to efficient budget management and utilization for startups and small-to-medium businesses/enterprises (SMBs/SMEs). Since there will be reduced need for large development teams, a small team could lead to higher ROIs in the long run. 

4 Key Steps to Creating a Scalable PoC with Low Code 

Even using the best low-code platforms, developers need a structured approach to maximize results throughout the development process. For instance, choosing a low-code platform can be critical to the whole process. Below, we will share a practical and adaptable approach to PoC development that scales as your business grows. 

1. Setting Clear Goals and Requirements 

You should start by setting clear objectives for your PoC. It will guide and align the development process with business goals and app requirements. Moreover, you can define success criteria to track progress and determine the value of the PoC during different stages. 

2. Selecting the Right Low-Code Platform 

The low-code platform you choose should integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. For instance, App Builder ensures seamless integration, boosting development and leading to high-quality enterprise-grade code. 

3. Building and Testing Core Functionalities 

Make sure you focus on the key features of your PoC first. Test the main features to see if they meet the project’s goal and identify core issues in the functionality early on. It will keep the PoC relevant and maintain accuracy in the final product. 

4. Iterating Based on User Feedback 

Finally, make sure you are using user feedback to refine PoC quickly. It will help you meet the “real user” needs. Over time, it will lead to higher adaptability and help respond to market changes. 

Scaling from POC to Production – The Criteria and Process 

How does your business transition from a Proof of Concept to a full-scale product? It involves a few critical steps, including a detailed initial concept evaluation based on the broader business goals and user needs. 

What are the Criteria for Identifying a Successful POC? 

Before you transition to full-scale deployment, you must ensure that your PoC effectively demonstrates the viability and potential of the solution. 

Firstly, it should clearly show that user stories and requirements are addressed. It also means demonstrating the core value of the project scope or idea. 

Secondly, it should carry sufficient feedback and testing data to help the decision-makers (key stakeholders) realize the product’s potential. It will help them assess the impact of the product and its potential market positioning. 

Finally, your development team should be able to prove that the PoC is “strong,” which means it’s technically possible to develop and also aligns with your business goals. It is ready to move to the next stage if it checks all three boxes. 

Here’s a recap of what a PoC should do: 

• Shows the key functions and features of the proposed solution 

• Collects enough feedback and data for informed decision-making 

• Demonstrates technical feasibility and aligns with business objectives 

What To Expect During the Transition From a POC to Full-Scale Deployment? 

Similarly, there are several key steps in the actual transition. Moving to a full-scale solution will start with your developers as they check whether the PoC is compatible with your existing systems. A compatible PoC will integrate without any major disruptions. 

Next, focus on its performance. Your developers will use tools to analyze how the PoC runs and then make improvements (if needed). Performance optimization is a critical part of the process because it ensures a smooth user experience when you’re ready to scale up. 

Through comprehensive documentation, you will also have a detailed guide for developers and users. It will make it easier for teams to understand and modify the solutions. 

In a quick summary, this is what scaling a PoC to a full-scale solution will look like: 

• Ensure Compatibility – Test and verify if the PoC can integrate with the current systems without major overhauls. 

• Performance Optimization – Use analytics tools to measure the performance and refine the product. 

• Documentation and Training – Stick to comprehensive documentation (and training materials) to guarantee a smooth transition. 

Key Facts to Remember About Low-Code PoC Development 

When building Proof of Concept software using a low-code platform, the focus is on scalability – and not just cost-efficiency. So, it doesn’t simply reduce the app development costs, but it equally reduces the overall development and iteration time.

However, that would depend on a few factors, which primarily include selecting the right platform, setting clear goals, and collecting regular feedback. As a result, it will allow your business to efficiently go from PoC to full-scale deployment with greater chances for long-term success. 

To increase the chances of success in building a low-code PoC, here’s what to do: 

• Start small and expand according to the user feedback 

• Test your assumptions with fully interactive PoCs  

• Build with any framework in mind as App Builder provides framework-agnostic components, meaning you don’t have to choose the tech stack upfront 

• Maintain flexibility throughout the development cycle 

• Keep the process open to rapid iteration for faster testing cycles 

• Prioritize security and data management from the start 

For additional insights, explore App Builder to understand how it can enhance your low-code development processes.