Inside the OS Design Process

How Outside Source Turns IoT Ideas into Reality

In the fast-paced world of the Internet of Things (IoT), having a groundbreaking idea is just the beginning. 

At Outside Source, we specialize in transforming those bold ideas into seamless digital experiences that drive real business outcomes. But how does an IoT concept go from a spark of innovation to a fully functional product? 

Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at our process.

1. Understanding the Business Context 

Every successful product starts with a deep understanding of the broader business landscape.

We don’t just focus on the technology — we ask essential questions like: Who are the users, and what are their personas and needs?

• What does the complete user journey look like?

• How does this product fit into the long-term strategy of the business?

• By aligning the design with business goals from the start, we avoid the trap of “engineering ourselves into a corner” and create solutions that are both innovative and practical.

2. Defining Success from the Start 

Our team zeroes in on the desired business outcomes early. We work closely with stakeholders to define what success looks like:

• What business goals are defining success? 

• What key metrics will determine if the product is working?

• How will we measure user satisfaction and adoption?

This outcome-focused approach keeps everyone on the same page, ensuring the final product delivers real value.

3. The Power of Collaboration: The Design Triad 

At Outside Source, collaboration is at the heart of our process. Our Design Triad — composed of Product, Engineering, and Design leads — works in lockstep from day one.

This close partnership means:

• Product managers bring product strategy discipline

• Engineers balance creativity with technical feasibility

• Designers create user-friendly, visually compelling interfaces

This synergy allows us to build products that aren’t just functional but genuinely delightful to use.

4. Risk Mitigation: Asking the Right Questions Early 

To prevent costly mistakes down the road, we tackle key product risks as early as possible:

• Value risk: Why would anyone use this?

• Usability risk: Will users know how to use it?

• Feasibility risk: Can we build it?

• Stakeholder risk: Does the design align with business needs?

By answering these questions upfront, we justify the time and resources invested in development.

5. Learning Fast: Prototyping for Rapid Feedback 

Before a single line of code is written, we embrace product discovery through prototyping. Our team quickly builds clickable wireframes and prototypes, allowing for:

• Fast feedback from real users

• Iterative design improvements

• Cost-effective testing before committing to full development

• This agile approach ensures we’re building the right product, not just building fast. 

From concept to deployment, Outside Source’s process is rooted in strategy, collaboration, and continuous learning. It’s not just about creating connected devices — it’s about crafting impactful digital experiences.

Ready to turn your IoT vision into reality? Let’s build something extraordinary together.

For more detailed information about our process and services, please visit our How We Work page.