You're overwhelmed with innovative concepts. How do you decide which ideas to prototype first?

1 Assess Impact

When deciding which ideas to prototype, consider the potential impact . Think about which concepts could significantly solve a problem, enhance user experience , or open up new markets. Prioritize ideas that align with your strategic objectives and have the potential to create value for your target audience. Remember, the most flashy or complex idea isn't always the most impactful. Sometimes, simple solutions can revolutionize the way things are done, so weigh the benefits against the investment required.

2 Resource Check

Before diving into prototyping, take stock of your resources . This includes time, budget, materials, and manpower. Some ideas might be groundbreaking but require more resources than you currently have. In such cases, it might be wise to start with less resource-intensive projects. This pragmatic approach ensures that you don't overcommit and that the ideas you choose to prototype are feasible within your current constraints.

3 Market Viability

Understanding the market demand is crucial. You don't want to spend time and resources developing a prototype for an idea that has no audience. Conduct market research to gauge interest and identify trends that could influence the success of your concept. Prototyping should be in service of ideas that not only excite you but also have a clear market need. This intersection is where true innovation often thrives.

4 Risk Assessment

Every new idea carries some level of risk. When choosing which ones to prototype, evaluate the risks associated with each concept . Consider the potential downsides and how they might be mitigated. Prototyping is an experimental phase, so some risk is inherent, but it's important to avoid ideas that could lead to significant setbacks or resource drains without a clear path to success.

5 User Feedback

Gather user feedback early in the process. Present your concepts to a sample of your target audience or stakeholders to get their input. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews . User feedback can help prioritize ideas that resonate most with your audience and refine them before you invest in prototyping. Remember, an idea that doesn't meet user needs or expectations is less likely to succeed.

6 Iterate Quickly

Finally, embrace rapid iteration. Choose ideas that allow for quick prototyping cycles where you can build, test, and refine repeatedly. This agile approach to innovation lets you learn from each iteration and improve the concept efficiently. Prototyping isn't about getting it perfect the first time; it's about learning and evolving an idea until it's ready for the market.