Before a long-term IT project goes to the market, it is vital for companies to test it, check its focus, and consider how it can get to the targeted customers. This process is called the development and testing of a concept.
During this phase, companies can design and build their ideas or projects in a controlled and safe place with a target audience in mind ahead of the product launch. This article will discuss concept development, testing methods, and the benefits of testing a project before launching.
What Is Concept Development and Testing?
Concept development is a stage in a software development procedure. It requires a business to do analytical research about the software target market, the market fit, and the goals it tends to achieve. This stage is important as it allows customers to understand your products. You can click on https://www.marketing91.com/concept-development/ to read more about what it involves.
Concept testing, on the other hand, involves getting opinions from your target audience about the ideas of your product before it is launched. Their response is used to gauge how acceptable the product is and if there is any need for changes before the launch date. Looking at sites like https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-management/product/how-concept-test/Â can help you to get more of a grasp and an understanding as to how companies use this technique when in the process of launching a product.
Types of Concept Tests
There are four main types of tests. They include:
1. Monadic Test
To carry out a monadic test, the target customers are divided into groups. Each will be shown one concept at a time. The entire test is focused on single idea analysis. It is short, precise, and gives in-depth research.
However, because the target customers are split into groups, the size of the sample needed for this type of test is extensive. An increase in this sample size will increase the cost incurred for the research.
2. Sequence Monadic Test
This type is a bit similar to the monadic test. The only difference is that the groups would be shown all feasible concepts for the projects at a time. This method is cost-effective than others. It is also easy to carry out and good for companies with a low budget for research or fragment target customers.
However, since the entire concept will be demonstrated to each group, the analytical questions will be numerous. This might affect the method completion rate. It could also result in non-response or interaction bias.
3. Comparison Test
In this method, two concepts are shown to the target customers. They will then compare both concepts using questions or ratings. This test is easy to carry out. The audience chooses their most preferred concept and that becomes the winner.
But this method is flawed as it is impossible to understand why the audience prefers a concept over another. These details are important to know before the company launches the product.
4. Proto Monadic Test
This test is the combination of a sequential and comparison test. In this method, the customers are shown all concepts and asked to evaluate each of them based on a questionnaire. Afterward, they will compare them to one another and choose the one they most prefer. This process is mostly used to validate results that are gotten from the sequence monadic test.
After deciding which method would be the best fit for your concept it is important to draft out a survey that you will use for the test. This survey should contain questions, scales, and images. Each of these will add flow and order to your survey, making it easy for your analysis to be insightful and accurate. You can click here to know more about testing a project idea.
Benefits of Concept Development and Testing
Here are the benefits of testing a project before launching it:
1. It Aids in Idea Filtering
By filtering ideas, you will get new ones. Or the ones left can be worked on to create something better. Rather than holding on to an opinion, concept testing will provide information about which project you should continue or not. With the use of surveys and questionnaires, you can get the customers’ opinion of the project, then use the data to develop it better.
2. It Helps in Averting a Bad Decision
Testing concepts will save a firm from losses that come with bad decisions. Some companies are in a rush to release products. When these products are not tested, they may fail to meet the required standards, and the result will affect the company.
But with concept test methods, you are sure that your project has a chance to succeed when it is launched. Simply put, a concept test helps you to avoid embarrassing situations and helps your project development to be better due to the feedback analysis of target customers.
3. It Helps You Understand What Customers Want
By evaluating concepts based on your customers’ opinions, you will know what they need. This will reduce any risks the project could have and excessive costs.
4. It Helps to Develop a Product That Reaches the Target Market
Including the customers in concept development and testing is beneficial. This will lead to products that customers want, not just random products.
Conclusion
Developing an idea is one thing but carrying out the necessary tests is another. You won’t know if the product will make waves in its target market. Therefore, it is important to understand and consider the opinion of the target consumers.
By utilizing the test methods discussed in this article, you can improve your project development as well as advertising strategies. They will also ensure you launch your product on time and keep your customers happy.
