What are the best ways to validate creative solutions in different domains?

1 Why validation matters

Validation is the process of testing and evaluating your solution against the criteria and constraints of the problem and the domain. Validation helps you to ensure that your solution meets the needs and expectations of your target audience, aligns with the goals and values of your domain, and is feasible to implement and sustain. Validation also helps you to identify and address any potential risks, flaws, or gaps in your solution, and to improve it based on feedback and evidence.

2 How to validate in business

In business, validation is essential to ensure that your solution has a market fit, a competitive edge, and a positive return on investment. One of the best ways to validate your solution in business is to use the lean startup methodology, which involves building a minimum viable product (MVP), measuring its performance and impact, and learning from the results. Another way to validate your solution in business is to use design thinking tools , such as prototyping, testing, and iterating, to involve your customers and stakeholders in the development and refinement of your solution.

3 How to validate in education

In education, validation is important to ensure that your solution enhances the learning outcomes, experiences, and engagement of your students and educators. One of the best ways to validate your solution in education is to use the evidence-based practice approach, which involves identifying a problem of practice, reviewing the relevant research and literature, designing and implementing an intervention, and evaluating its effectiveness and impact. Another way to validate your solution in education is to use the action research method, which involves planning, acting, observing, and reflecting on your solution in a cyclical and collaborative manner.

4 How to validate in social

In social domains, such as community, health, or environmental issues, validation is crucial to ensure that your solution is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. One of the best ways to validate your solution in social domains is to use the social innovation framework, which involves understanding the root causes and systemic factors of the problem, co-creating and co-designing the solution with the beneficiaries and partners, and scaling and spreading the solution for social change. Another way to validate your solution in social domains is to use the participatory evaluation method, which involves engaging the stakeholders and beneficiaries in defining, measuring, and interpreting the outcomes and impacts of your solution.

5 How to validate in personal

In personal domains, such as hobbies, passions, or goals, validation is helpful to ensure that your solution is meaningful, fulfilling, and rewarding. One of the best ways to validate your solution in personal domains is to use the self-determination theory, which involves assessing whether your solution supports your intrinsic motivation, autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Another way to validate your solution in personal domains is to use the SMART goal setting technique, which involves making sure that your solution is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

6 How to improve your validation skills

Validation is not a one-time or linear process, but a dynamic and iterative one. To improve your validation skills, you need to practice them regularly and systematically and to learn from your failures and successes. To do this, it is important to be open-minded and curious, as well as empathetic and respectful. Do not impose your solution on others or ignore their feedback and concerns. Additionally, be creative and flexible when it comes to your solution or validation method. Experiment with different approaches and tools, and adapt your solution and validation process as you learn new insights and opportunities.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?