Dcode's Playbook for Evaluating Tech: VC Style

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, evaluating solutions without government past performance is a break from the status quo. Bureaucracy is designed to be risk-averse, making it difficult to improve existing systems without a strategic approach. From our experience here at Dcode, there are 3 key principles that will allow you to better assess whether a technology solution will address the problem at hand or make it worse.

Step 1 – Understand Human-Centered Design:

The cornerstone of evaluating technology without government past performance lies in comprehending the principles of human-centered design. Viability, usability, and personality are crucial aspects to consider.

Viability ensures that a product solves the correct user needs. By understanding the problem, target audience, and user perspectives, you can establish if the solution truly aligns with the intended goals. For example, when evaluating a cybersecurity software solution, consider how well it addresses the unique security needs and compliance requirements.?

Usability, focusing on the ease with which users can interact with the technology, encompasses learnability, memorability, efficiency, and simplicity. As an example, when evaluating a data management system for government officials, consider how easily they can navigate the interface, retrieve information efficiently, and achieve mission outcomes.?

Personality, often overlooked, is essential for user engagement. Assessing whether a product’s look and tone align with its purpose enhances the overall evaluation process. Consider evaluating a command and control software interface used by military personnel during critical operations. The design should convey a sense of authority, reliability, and urgency, aligning with the high-stakes nature of military missions.

Step 2 – Design User Testing for Informed Decisions:

Elevating the evaluation process involves strategic user testing and independent solution valuations. By assessing the three aspects above, your metrics will collectively offer insights into usability, effectiveness, and the overall appeal of the technology. By dedicating resources to understanding end-user needs, decision-makers will gain tangible insights grounded in real-world user experiences. This approach empowers them to make informed investment choices based on a nuanced understanding of a solution's performance, user experience, and alignment with its intended audience.

Step 3 – Assess Opportunities Like a Venture Capital Investor:

Adopting a venture capitalist mindset is essential when evaluating a vendor pitch, proposal, MVP, prototype, or solution. Budgetary dollars at stake become a focal point in this process. Evaluating the maturity of both the solution and the company is paramount. Additionally, researching the team's composition, including management, board/investors, and size/focus/maturity, provides a comprehensive understanding of the company's potential success. This approach mitigates risks associated with an unprepared company, market failure, and scalability challenges.

If you’re eager to dive deeper into these concepts and enhance your skills, Dcode works with programs across the federal ecosystem, helping them better assess problem sets and identify solutions. For more information, visit dcode.co/govhub.?

Breaking into the federal ecosystem without past performance can seem like an impossible task, but we’ve seen companies win contracts as part of our accelerator program. Interested? Check out our Federal Accelerator program, kicking off April 9th! https://pages.dcode.co/federal-accelerator-for-tech-companies-government