What does proof-of-concept (POC) really do? A systematic comparison of generativity and robustness of POC practices

Although there has been an increasing use of 'proof-of-concept' in practice, the literature is highly poor on the subject. We investigate a basic research question: what does proof-of-concept really do? We perform an historical study and a case study of PoC practices of a French design studio 'The Sismo'. Generativity and robustness allow us to compare PoC practices related to TRLs, medicine, security, start-up, and design. The study clarifies the polysemous practices to help stakeholders to know why and how PoC is a design tool to establish and sustain collaborative exploratory communities.