How difficult can it be?
A BIG idea: seemingly simple to explain, may not be simple to build.
- If you’re unaccustomed to building digital solutions and software development, the process probably seems much simpler than it actually is.
- Raising money to get the work done takes patience and persistence
- The time it takes to build a digital product is almost always at least 2x longer than you think it is.
- There are endless ways to solve the users’ problems. However, there’s a fine line between solving the problems users have, and solving problems that they don’t have.
- Words of wisdom: Write your plans in pencil and your goals in pen
What to expect along the way?
The process of turning an idea into a product is a winding road filled with change and unexpected turns. Prepare to be wrong a lot of the time!
- Your best ideas and assumptions will be challenged: Change and adapt accordingly.
- Anticipate problems and have contingency plans.
- Distractions are inevitable: Stick to the plan unless the opportunity is too good to pass up
- Recognize new business opportunities and pivot, or extend the product to meet them.
- Expect rebuilds. It’s impossible to get it right the first time (or even the 2nd)
- You will never have enough money: Have a plan to finance the work necessary to grow.
- Count on being wrong as often as you are right: Fail Fast
- Focus on the problem to be solved: value to the user
- Build to scale as much as possible, within budget