The Startup Idea Validation Framework

Validating a startup idea is extremely important for all entrepreneurs before implementing their idea. The validation process typically involves evaluation of the characteristics of the idea, understanding the market potential, analyzing the financial and operational feasibility. Successfully analyzing an idea independent of entrepreneurs’ emotional attachment is the key to potential success of the business. Structured validation of a startup idea also imparts the confidence entrepreneurs need to pursue it. But a typical feasibility analysis is a complex process involving knowhow that a small percentage of the people especially with management education or experience possess. Even if the person is well equipped with the knowledge of several management tools to carry out the traditional feasibility analysis, the activity is time consuming. Hence it is difficult to carry out a detailed feasibility analysis for an idea, especially when a person is evaluating multiple prospective ideas. Startup Validation framework, developed by Arnab Ray enables a structured validation through an easy, understandable, and analytical methodology. We have also created a Startup Idea Validator tool based on the framework which is a self-assessment tool allowing individuals to analytically validate their idea through an intuitive questionnaire. This article provides a brief overview of the Startup Validation Framework and the Startup Idea Validator tool.

Introduction

Almost everyone has come up with at least one idea for a startup at some point of time. Some has more than one idea, some even are willing to pursue them and a few actually does. There are several ways a person can come up with a startup idea. Right from the spontaneous eureka moment of suddenly coming up with an idea or a deliberate effort to seek ideas, through analyzing problems, pain points, innovations etc. Irrespective of process of ideation, people usually get extremely attached their idea. But if we look at it practically, while ideas serve as a starting point to any business, but an idea alone means nothing as without a successful implementation of the business.

Implementing an idea needs planning, resources, finances, commitment, and time to name a few. Before committing to the implementation, we must be sure of it. We often take our ideas to our friends and family to discuss it with them. Individual perception of your idea can very well be biased. So, an independent analysis is important. It is usually referred to as a feasibility analysis which typically looks at an idea’s market potential, financial feasibility, operational feasibility, and technical feasibility. But doing a feasibility analysis requires a certain level of business acumen and exposure to an array of management tools. Unfortunately, these skills are not common. Another option is to hire external consultants to have a look at the idea which will incur costs. Doing a feasibility analysis is a must and recommended but there must be something which every entrepreneur can do on their own.

The startup idea framework gives a structured approach to entrepreneurs a tool to analyse their ideas. Ability to get a structured validation done up enables entrepreneurs to understand the potential of their idea clearly. It also enables them to understand the shortcomings, risks, and the strengths of the idea in details. It not only makes the ideator more prepared but also gives them the confidence to pursue it.

The Startup Idea Validation Framework

The startup idea validation framework is an independent, objective self-assessment tool that an ideator or an entrepreneur can use to validate their startup ideas. This framework is prepared keeping in mind that it can be used by any person with a business idea, irrespective of their educational background and field of work. This framework looks into all the aspects of an idea and help the ideators to analyse it in detail. This framework would help any entrepreneur to start their entrepreneurial journey in a structured and planned manner.

The Startup Idea Validation Framework is created to evaluate an idea through six focus areas. Each focus areas are independently analysed, and their relationship is also analysed to each other to ensure the idea is the right fit. The following diagram illustrates the structure of the framework.

Analysing a startup idea without the context of the focus areas is not accurate. The validation of the idea is the starting point towards implementing the business. So, it is imperative that the idea is analysed on the basis of the relationship with each focus areas. The focus areas adds context to the startup idea and maps it with the challenges faced during business implementation.

This framework is purely a self -assessment tool for validating one’s idea. So, the framework is created to ensure it caters to all business sectors and ideas across the scale. The generic nature of the framework gives an initial validation which can be later expanded into sectoral validation as well, if required. As the framework is a self-assessment tool the assessment would completely dependent on how objectively and realistically the entrepreneur uses the tool.

Startup Idea Validator Tool

The Startup Idea Validation framework serves as a generic business tool which helps entrepreneurs and ideators to validate their idea. We have also implemented a web-based tool called the Startup Idea Validator, based on the framework. This tool provides a set of 30 questionnaire, 5 each across 6 focus areas. Each question has multiple responses to choose from. Once the questionnaire is completed, an algorithm rates the responses in the background and prepares an analytical dashboard for the idea. The dashboard provides an overall score and gradation for the idea. Along with it the dashboard also reports scoring across each focus areas with suggestions for improvements. This tool is very handy for quickly checking the viability of an idea.