How to go from idea to validated service in 24 hours
I've no idea why you would ever NEED to go from an idea to a validated service in 24 hours. But who knows, maybe you have a crazy boss? Maybe you're a masochist? Maybe you'll want to run a hackathon some day? Maybe you're utterly desperate to be an entrepreneur and need to find that one big idea?
Transforming a concept into a validated service within a day might seem like a Herculean task, but with the right approach and tools, it's entirely feasible. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to turn your innovative idea into a validated service in just 24 hours.
Step 1: Rapid Ideation (Time: 2 Hours)
- Brainstorm Freely: Start with a brainstorming session. Don't limit your thinking; let the ideas flow.
- Use Tools: There are ideation and brainstorming canvases available. Try to leverage tools like Brainstorm Buddy or MindMeister to organize and expand your thoughts.
Step 2: Down and Dirty Market Research (Time: 4 Hours)
- Quick Surveys: Use platforms like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms to gather immediate customer feedback.
- Competitor Analysis: Conduct a swift competitor analysis using tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to understand the market landscape. My own studio Humblebee made a quick product exactly for this purpose: get a quick overview of a company in 1 click, check out Sprinboard.
Step 3: Sketching the Service (Time: 3 Hours)
- Draft a Blueprint: Sketch out the basic structure of your service. Tools like Balsamiq or Sketch can help visualize your idea, my team tend to use paper followed by Figma.
- Focus on Core Features: Identify the key features that will make your service stand out.
Step 4: Building a Prototype (Time: 6 Hours)
- Rapid Prototyping Tools: Tools like Adobe XD or InVision are decent starting points for creating a working prototype of your service. Again, my team enjoy using Figma and it's ability to create prototypes. If you're feeling extra adventurous tip your toe into the wonderful world of low-code-no-code tools, some of which can get you way beyond prototype phase...
- Solicit Quick Feedback: Share the prototype with a small group for immediate feedback. Ideally you want to get potential USERS or BUYERS of your service, but anyone will do if you're on a 24 hour deadline.
Step 5: Validation Through Testing (Time: 5 Hours)
- User Testing: Conduct rapid user testing sessions. Tools like UserTesting.com can facilitate this process.
- Iterate Quickly: Make quick iterations based on the feedback received.
Step 6: Final Assessment (Time: 4 Hours)
- Assess Viability: Review all the feedback and data collected to assess the service's market viability.
- Plan Next Steps: Decide whether to proceed, pivot, or pause based on the validation results.
Turning an idea into a validated service in just 24 hours requires focus, the right tools, and a willingness to adapt quickly. By following these steps, you can efficiently validate your service idea and lay a strong foundation for further development.
