Proof-of-concept canvas: how to turn a blurry idea into a real-life application

Proof-of-concept (PoC) projects are significantly driven by the awareness that a technological concept is potentially feasible. As PoC runs, this awareness should be transformed into practical knowledge to inform PoC final decision. This paper aims to explore how PoC moves from awareness to practical knowledge by examining the main PoC activities, challenges, and knowledge features. We take a qualitative approach, performing a case study of a design-led technological studio. The research consists of two stages, with the first employing participatory observations to conceptualize the PoC process and the second stage relying on expertise-sharing through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Our findings show that PoC goes through a set of specific stages and related steps that helps to cross Value and Expectations Chasms. As PoC runs and chasms are crossed, the initial situational awareness is fed by need, market, and technology awareness, transforms into informed awareness, and finally grows into practical knowledge. A conceptual framework presenting this complex process is developed. This pioneering research contributes to the technology innovation literature by comprehensively exploring PoC activities and offering a first fine-grained PoC canvas on PoC activities while moving from awareness to practical knowledge.