By Janet Muto

In my last post, I outlined the Four Rules of (Really) Customer-Centric Product Development. In the next few posts, I’ll look at the different ways we include customer-centric processes in our clients’ product development cycles.

Some methods may be used throughout the lifecycle, others are better at different stages of the process.

Have a great idea?  Float it!

The next (read “successful”) new thing is always difficult to predict.  In many cases, potential users will not even know they need it in the form you have developed.  So, how do you test your idea? Actually, don’t test your idea, test the need.  No one thought they needed an I-Pod, but they certainly did need an easy-to-use, portable way to take their music with them (remember all the pictures of people carrying huge boom boxes around with them?).

Brainstorming sessions with potential users is a great way to test their needs.  For consumer and SMB audiences, brainstorming is relatively easy and inexpensive to perform.  The key is to ask the right questions.  You’ll be amazed what you’ll find in as few as 3 brainstorm sessions.  By the way, don’t brainstorm with friends and family – that is a sure way to get the wrong information!