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# How To Test Your Idea
- URL: https://www.philmckinney.com/how-to-test-your-idea/
- Published: 2012-05-17T13:44:44.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-01T14:10:26.000Z
- Author: Phil McKinney
- Tags: Past Shows, Studio Sessions, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-03-26 05:08

Download [KI\_2012\_13\_How\_To\_Test\_Your\_Idea.mp3](http://media.libsyn.com/media/philmckinney/KI%5F2012%5F13%5FHow%5FTo%5FTest%5FYour%5FIdea.mp3?ref=philmckinney.com)

So you have an idea. You thinks its a killer idea. How do you make sure its the next great thing before committing significant resources (e.g. money, time, etc)?

Testing your ideas doesn’t have to be a big long dragged out process. By following a few quick steps, you can have the confidence that your idea will lead to the next game-changing innovation.

**Step 1: Does the problem exist?**

Rememebr that customers don’t but products or technologies, they buy solutions to their problems. To validate the problem, you need to:

  - Frame the problem in a few sentances so that others can easily grasp the problem space you are going after.
  - Define the impact of the problem (e.g. time, money, etc)
  - Go talk to people NOT like you and see if they agree that the problem exists.

To hear how I approach strangers and engage them in validating the problem, listen to the podcast.

**Step 2: Test Your Innovation**

This is where you validate that what you’ve come up with solves the problem the customer has.

  - Based on the input from Step 1, create a quick “fake” way to show people what your innovation is. This could be a video, a Flash demo, etc. Keep it cheap and fast.
  - Again – go talk to people. Find more people who agree the problem exists and ask them how well your innovation addresses the problem.

Be prepared to iterate on Step 2 multiple times. The priority should be on fast and cheap.