Integrating Lean Canvas and SOS Validation for Early Validation of FTTH Design Automation

Abstract

This research evaluates the effectiveness of an early product validation framework that integrates Lean Canvas with State-of-the-Solution (SOS) Validation. The focus is on the development of Integrated High Level Design (iHLD), a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network design automation product. The main objective of this study was to test critical assumptions related to the problem, solution, and value proposition among internal technical users. The research methodology adopted a descriptive-qualitative approach. Initial assumptions were mapped using Lean Canvas, then validated through customer discovery interviews adapted from SOS Validation principles. These interviews involved 23 internal users of the Survey Design Inventory (SDI). The collected data was analyzed descriptively and thematically.

The analysis showed that the assumptions regarding the main problem, i.e. the inefficiency and length of the manual network design process, were strongly validated by internal user responses. Similarly, assumptions regarding iHLD's solution (design automation) and value proposition (operational efficiency and ease of use) were also strongly validated. Quantitatively, the implementation of iHLD proved to drastically reduce design time. The average manual design time, which was previously 30 minutes per design, was successfully cut down to about 1.35 minutes per design, indicating a substantial increase in productivity. This positive impact also contributed to increased user satisfaction and reduced workload.

However, the study also identified that assumptions related to potential revenue streams and cost structures were hypothetical and had not been empirically confirmed at this early validation stage. The main conclusion of this study is that the problem-solution fit has been internally confirmed. However, further validation covering the technical aspects of the algorithm comparatively, external market acceptance, and overall business model viability, is absolutely necessary before the iHLD product can enter the scale-up or market expansion phase.