Glossary Approach & collaboration
Proof of Concept (PoC)
What is a proof of concept (PoC)?
A proof of concept is a small, fast version of an AI solution that proves the idea works on real data, before you invest in a full build.
An idea always sounds good on paper. A proof of concept tests it on a small scale on your real data: does the approach work, does it reach the quality you need, and does it deliver enough to keep building? You buy certainty before committing a large budget.
The whole point is that a PoC is allowed to fail. An honest outcome of "this does not clear the bar yet" is far cheaper now than after six months of building. And if it succeeds, you have not just confidence but also a working starting point and realistic numbers.
In our way of working, a PoC often sits between the AI audit and the full implementation: first know where the value is, then prove it on a small scale, then scale up. See our way of working.
Last updated: 18 June 2026