Editorial draft available to read. Factual and language review is pending. Examples are illustrative.
Formulate a bounded question
Choose the uncertainty that changes the decision: data access, classification quality or journey feasibility. Define inputs, conditions and expected outcome before building. “Show that it works” is insufficient; a test that allows only success can hide the problems it should discover.
Agree limits and evidence
Bound duration, effort, cases and authorised systems. Decide what evidence supports continuation, repetition or rejection. Include failures and difficult cases. Label synthetic data and temporary components so the proof is not confused with a client-ready operational release.
Document the exit decision
Example: test order reading in an authorised environment, including empty responses and revoked access. Report cases, results and limits; reading data does not prove complete synchronisation. Decide the next scope, what must be rebuilt and what remains technical learning only.
Key takeaways
- A proof of concept should answer one uncertainty and allow a stop decision.