Idea Validation Checklist

A comprehensive list of considerations for your next side project idea. Simply tick off items as you go and at the end you’ll have a much better understanding of what it will take to execute your idea.

1. How passionate are you about the side‐project subject?
Rate from 1‐10. 8 or above is Green. Go. Now.
Will I have a ton of fun building it?
2. Why exactly are you building this side‐project?
To get known as a Maker?
To make more money?
To quit my job now?
To grow a business and hire people? To solve my own problem/need?
To learn a new skill?
To potentially help my existing projects?
To form a contingency plan for my current project? To build something of value that can help people?
3. Will you use your own side‐project?
?
4. Opportunity costs?
Why don't I improve my existing projects with this time?
Am I procrastinating on a bigger, more important project?
Have I considering ridding of a side‐project I am less passionate about, to make space for this new one?
5. Will your side‐project solve a real problem?
Does my idea solve an easy or difficult problem?
Have I researched if there are already solutions to my problem?
Are there still pain‐points in the industry?
How light can I test and validate that my idea is actually solving a problem? Are people willing to pay for my product or service?
6. Is the side‐project market progressive?
Will my idea be relevant in 1,2,3,5,10 years?
What does my gut say?
Have I spent an hour in Google Trends?
7. Competition
No competition = bad.
Ton of competition = ok.
Ton of competition but not much within my niche = good. Can I target a niche within the broader industry?
Do I know how big this industry is?
How big are the social media followings of my competitors?
8. Are you able to build everything?
Do I have time to build this side‐project while you are working on your main project or day job?
How much do I need to outsourcing?
Do I have savings to outsource?
Without outsourcing, can I launch at lighter version of this side‐project idea to validate outsourcing?
9. Am I building a community?
Am I building a standalone tool?
Does my side‐project promise timely content?
Does my side‐project need moderation?
Can I walk away from the idea for a day, week, month, year?
10. Are you fit for the hustle?
Am I mentally strong enough for the inevitable dip?
Am I in it for the short or long game?

Built using Interact List

Idea Validation Checklist

A comprehensive list of considerations for your next side­ project idea. Simply tick off items as you go and at the end you’ll have a much better understanding of what it will take to execute your idea.

1. How passionate are you about the side‐project subject?

2. Why exactly are you building this side‐project?

3. Will you use your own side‐project?

4. Opportunity costs?

5. Will your side‐project solve a real problem?

6. Is the side‐project market progressive?

7. Competition

8. Are you able to build everything?

9. Am I building a community?

10. Are you fit for the hustle?

A comprehensive list of considerations for your next side project idea. Simply tick off items as you go and at the end you’ll have a much better understanding of what it will take to execute your idea.