You can't validate an idea, only a hypothesis
I think the word "Validation" is being misused some times and is misunderstood by many new comers.
Here is my take on this, I think you can't validate an IDEA .. You can only validate (De-risk or Falsify) an Assumption or a Hypothesis.
So, in order to do correct validation, I do the following
1- Start with defining my assumptions about the idea.
2- Rank them quickly based on risk of being wrong.
3- and go through some tests to FALSIFY them.
Just my 0.2 cents on Validation.
What is your process?
I've found that keyword research and competitive analysis are really helpful to validate ideas and identify MVP must-have features. While many indie founders are concerned with SEO after they have already launched a product, doing this research beforehand can help you understand which features are in demand and how to compete with existing products.
I've even created a guide on how to use SEO tools to understand demand and validate a business idea before building for anyone interested in this method.
Sure, keyword research is one way to validate some hypothesis. I'm a subscriber to this camp.
You are correct that the term "validation" can be misunderstood or misused in the context of business ideas and startups. In the context of a startup or business, the term "validation" often refers to the process of testing and verifying that an idea or hypothesis has merit and is worth pursuing further. This can involve a variety of activities, including:
Defining and prioritizing key assumptions or hypotheses about the idea.
Identifying potential risks or challenges that could impact the viability of the idea.
Conducting market research or customer interviews to test and verify assumptions about the market, competition, customer needs, and other key factors.
Developing and testing prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs) to gather feedback and data on the feasibility and potential value of the idea.
The goal of the validation process is to minimize risk and increase the chances of success by gathering evidence and data to support or refute key assumptions about the idea. This can help entrepreneurs and startups make informed decisions about whether to pursue an idea or pivot to a different direction.
I think it's just about execution and being flexible enough to change your execution over time. I know many people who just talk ideas for years and don't make any progress.
What do you think about the book "the mom test"?
I love the mom test, It's one of the tools in my toolbox to test for desirability. Like is there a problem out there and are people trying to actively solve it already .. It's one tier of testing.
Nice, how long does it take you to go through this process typically?
Depends on the idea and the tests that I need to run but I try to limit this to few days max and some times I just do it in tiers