A proof of concept (POC) is a deliberately limited exercise used to test whether a proposed approach can satisfy a defined requirement or remove a meaningful technical or process uncertainty. Its value comes from the decision it enables, not from how much of the final solution it builds.
POC versus demo
A solution demo usually communicates how a solution can support a scenario. A POC goes further when evidence is needed: it tests a bounded question using agreed assumptions and success criteria. A prototype may explore design or user experience, while a POC is primarily about feasibility or confidence.
What makes a POC useful
Start with one question, explicit scope, representative data or conditions, success criteria, owners and a time box. For example, a team might test whether a difficult integration pattern can exchange the required business data with acceptable behavior. The outcome may be proceed, redesign, investigate further or reject the approach.
What a POC should not become
POCs create risk when stakeholders treat them as production-ready, when temporary shortcuts become architecture, or when the test has no success criteria. Findings should be documented together with limitations and assumptions before they influence implementation scope or estimates.