What are the best practices for product testing and validation in your industry?

In the process of refining your product strategy, it's vital to establish a set of Comprehensive Evaluation Criteria. These criteria should cover multiple dimensions: - Feasibility: Assess the technical feasibility of your MVP. Can it be built within your resources and timeframe? Are there technical risks or challenges to address? - Desirability: Gauge user desirability by collecting feedback and insights. Are users finding value in your MVP? Does it solve their problems or meet their needs? - Viability: Examine the business viability of your MVP. Is it financially sustainable? Are there potential revenue streams or cost savings associated with it?

If you cannot measure it, you cannot evaluate it or use it for guidance. Same is applicable for your product goals and metrics. In order to be able to measure if you succeeded or not and to be able to have clear guidance not just for you as a product developer but for the entire team, there have to be clear product goals and metrics. To define this, you need to do the following: 1) Start first with the consumer and consumer pain points using Jobs to be done framework 2) Define direction for the product concept by understanding the competition landscape and why would you succeed in the market. 3) Ensure that what you have defined for your product is aligned with the company vision, strategy and direction.

Define: - Who are your users - What is their pain point? Is it a real pain point or it's nice to have? - Are there any other alternatives solutions to that the pain points? Does yours is better or of competitors? Can you differentiate with your solution? If yes, how small is the niche? Can it the niche grow/expand Clear metrics should be defined and communicated. No metrics, no validation.

Effective testing begins with meticulous planning. My approach involves crafting comprehensive test plans that cover all facets of the product. This includes functional, performance, security, and usability testing, among others. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define test cases and criteria. A well-structured test plan ensures thorough validation.

Pre-implementation validation methods are cheaper than post-implementation. However, pre-implementation methods are not always can give the full picture. Thus, the method to be selected also with consideration of timeline, resources and budget.

It is important to research and review existing testing practices and standards, and available state-of-the art equipment. Annual updates are published in the respective volumes by ASTM, European and International Standards, as well as well as practices accepted by concrete engineering societies like SAE, ASCE, etc. Some big companies have their own testing and its summary requirements for the original equipment suppliers. Non-standard testing needs technical justification and development/adjustment of testing procedures and apparatus(es).

Some mandatory testing required by the Safety and Health Standards, like Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, has strict procedures for analysis of results.