The idea
Explain it simply.
← All idea support
Start small
Got an idea but not sure whether it has legs?
Use one focused piece of work to make the idea clearer, see what already exists, identify the biggest assumptions and decide what deserves testing next.
On this page
The question this answers
Is there something worth testing here, and what should I do first?
CLARITY
Know whether the idea deserves a first test.
Best for
This is likely the right level if...
- You have an idea but do not know where to start.
- You do not know whether anybody would care.
- You have been thinking about it for months.
- You are unclear about the first customer or what to research.
- You want a commercially minded outside view before spending thousands.
What you get
- Pre-session intake
- Light competitor / market scan
- 60-minute working session
- Problem + customer clarity
- Top assumptions
- Recommended first test
- DEV Idea Check document
- 7-day action plan
One prepared working session with a personalised written output.
Before the session
Give the idea enough shape to work on.
The problem
What do you think it solves?
The customer
Who do you currently think it is for?
Why now
Why might this be worth exploring?
Current evidence
Conversations, research, interest, prototypes or tests so far.
Biggest questions
What are you most uncertain about?
DEV preparation
A bounded commercial preparation pass
DEV looks for information that changes what you should do next, not a giant report that makes the service look bigger.
Approximately 3 to 5 useful competitors or alternatives where appropriate.- Obvious competitors
- Alternative solutions and current behaviour
- Likely customer segments
- Customer-language clues
- Visible pricing references
- Basic market signals
- Major assumptions, risks and unanswered questions
60-minute working session
Move from explanation to first test.
- 01
The idea in one sentence
- 02
The actual problem
- 03
The customer most likely to care first
- 04
Current alternatives
- 05
Competition
- 06
Assumptions without enough evidence
- 07
Why somebody might care enough to use or pay
- 08
The fastest, cheapest useful first test
- 09
The next seven days
What you actually receive
DEV Idea Check
Approximately 3 to 5 useful pages or screens where appropriate, with no filler.
It turns the idea into a clear first-test decision, with the assumptions and next seven days visible on the page.
DEV
CLARITYIllustrative example
FIRST LOOK
DEV Idea Check
SiteSignal
A simple service that turns site photos and voice notes into a clear weekly client update for small fit-out firms.
Site managers lose Friday afternoons rebuilding progress from scattered messages.
Owner-led fit-out firms running 3 to 10 live sites.
Group chats, camera rolls, spreadsheets and a late email recap.
Fast chat tools are messy. Full project software is often too heavy.
Run a manual Friday-brief pilot with three site managers before building software.
TOP ASSUMPTIONSClient updates matterManagers will send notesOwners will pay to save time
First decisionIDEA IN ONE SENTENCEFirst testRECOMMENDED FIRST TESTNext 7 days7-DAY ACTION PLAN
You should leave knowing
The next move should be clearer than the starting point.
- What problem am I solving?
- Who might care first?
- What already exists?
- What am I guessing?
- What should I test?
- What should I not build yet?
- What do I do during the next seven days?
DEV Idea Check
Know whether the idea deserves a first test.
15 minutes to understand what you are working through and whether DEV can actually help.