How to detect good ideas?

In the day to day, many ideas go through our head . . . Many of which seem great since one minute, others not so much and most of them will generate doubts. That is why, in this post, I will explain the characteristics that define a good idea so that you are able to recognize them in order to prevent bad ideas can take you along the wrong way.

Good ideas solve problems

A good idea is one that solves a real problem in an effective way. It can be too obvious, but many ideas that seem great and innovative at first, fail to solve a significant problem or, worse, they end up generating a greater problem.

Analyze your ideas and try to evaluate them from different perspectives. There are few occasions in which what an idea that seems to be a good solution to a problem impacts in the long run in even greater problems than those who solve.

In my professional life I have had (and I have heard) thousands of ideas. Many of them were great, for example, from the user's point of view. These ideas really solved the real problems of the people but, on the other hand, when you analyzed the business model it was more the money that came out of our pockets than the one that entered, so, which seemed to solve a problem in the backgroundI was generating a hole in the results account.

Good ideas are viable

A good idea should not only be effective, but also viable. This means that it should be implemented within the limitations of time, budget and resources available.

Something that you have to be clear about is that time and resources are money. The implementation of any idea will require these two variables so when deciding whether to bet on an idea or not. You have to be minimally aware of time and money that will cost to implement it.

Imagine that you are designing a new product to improve communication in remote equipment. A bad idea could be a solution that, although creative, is too complicated to implement or that does not adapt well to existing tools. On the other hand, a good idea would be one that integrates in a simple way with the platforms already used, that is easy to use and that effectively improves communication without adding unnecessary complexity.

Good ideas look simple (although they are not so much)

I have a maximum that is usually fulfilled almost as long as it is "easier to the user the most work solution is below. "Good ideas, especially in technological innovation, may seem very simple but, if so, it is because there is a lotto the final customer.

A very clear example of this can be your mobile phone. If you look back and analyze how mobile phones were years ago and see how they are now they have nothing to do. Today a smartphone practically has the capacity and functionality that a computer, a camera, a router and (obviously) a phone. At the beginning of the century, each of these devices was a business line itself and, at present, you can have all the good that each of those devices offered in the palm of your hand.

Good ideas provide value

A good idea provides value, not only to solve a problem but because there are aspects that can make it unique and desirable for people. Sometimes, the value is not given by the solution to a problem from a functional perspective but because there is something of that idea that makes you feel unique.

A product or service can provide value for its user experience, how it makes you feel, for its price, for its customer service, because you feel more exclusive, for the quality of its materials . . . do not fall to think thatEverything is invented, you can always innovate and contribute value with something that already exists making it unique and desirable.

A very clear example of this is the iPhone or, in general, everything that has to do with Apple. At functional level mobile phones or computers there are hundreds of thousands in the market, but an iPhone or a MacBook are always perceived as products that provide a differential value due to their quality and exclusivity.

Good ideas are desirable

I do not know anyone who rejects a good idea that solves a problem and brings value in his day to day. If they reject those ideas, it can be for reasons such as their price, which perhaps do not meet the expectations of the public you are going to or, directly, the public you are going to be the target audience to which you should sell your idea.

The good ideas are valued and validated by the target audience to which they are directed, so a good idea, it may not be in a specific context since, in that sector there is not its target audience to which it is directed or because it is necessary toImprove certain aspects to adapt it to the market.

Good ideas arise from active listening

Good ideas arise from a deep understanding of people's needs and desires. To do this, it is essential to conduct research, interviews and tests with prototypes before compromising completely to the development of that idea that has you excited you.

It is crucial that you expose your ideas to people, do not be afraid for it, some will reject them, others will accept them and there will be people who will help you outline. The important thing is to give the step of exposing your ideas and . . . the sooner the better, it will save you many efforts and consumption of unnecessary resources.

A classic example is the development of products that no one asked or does not solve any obvious problem. These are bad ideas that often arise because they have not heard the end user. In contrast, a good idea is supported by specific data that indicates that there is a real demand and a clear need for the proposed solution.

Good ideas require patience and care in details

There are people who do not have enough patience to develop and refine an idea. Good ideas are like a plant that you have to water and pruning with love on a day -to -day basis.

Do not expect your first idea to be the great idea that solves the world. Not even the first thing you put in the market has to be the definitive product that you have in your head. Unfortunately, good ideas, on many occasions, are at odds, money, business objectives, your boss . . .

Being able to carry out an idea requires creativity and intelligence not only to conceive it if not to be able to deal with the inconveniences that you will find in the way to build your product vision. To do this you can help you build a Roadmap for your idea in which you can consider incremental improvements of your product or service that are providing value and results on the way until your vision is a reality.

Good ideas are not in theory, they are also in practice

As you have seen, good ideas are those that solve problems, provide value, arise from people's needs and are viable in time and resources. It will be useless to have a great idea that you only buy.

It is essential for any company or entrepreneur to innovate but, it is even more, to differentiate the good ideas of the bad.

Nor is it easy to bring the ideas of the theory to practice for this, a pinch of risk, a little patience and, most importantly, an action plan that allows to provide value on the road is required. This is why product design can be a profile or a methodology that helps you transform your good ideas into great realities.