Customer Development ― abbreviated CustDev or "kastdev" ― is a customer survey according to a specific scenario that determines the needs and preferences of buyers. Having learned the opinions and expectations of the target audience, it is easier to refine your product or service. 

In simple terms, castdev is a study that asks open questions or gives a choice of several options. Based on the analysis of the data obtained, hypotheses can be built for further action. We tell you when and how to conduct castdev.

When is it time to do castdev?

Custom development methods can be used at different stages of development of a company, its products or services. 

Situations in which castdev is usually carried out:

You want to launch a new product, but you have no ideas. Study the habits and purchasing patterns of your target audience. The right casting questions for interviews will help you find unexpected audience requests and generate product ideas. 
The founder of castdev was the American Germany Email Database entrepreneur Steve Blank, who divided the method into four stages
The founder of castdev was the American entrepreneur Steve Blank, who divided the method into four stages
You have an idea for a product or startup, but you want to test the hypothesis. Castdev will help analyze the focus group's reaction to the concept of the first version of a viable product (MVP) and reduce risks. After collecting feedback from real users, you can improve the product before launching it to a mass audience.
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The product has already been created, but you are not satisfied with the sales level. With the help of custom development, you can determine the reason for the decrease in purchases and eliminate it. Study the needs of customers and their scenarios for using the product. This way, you will get hypotheses for low sales and scenarios for product 

How to prepare questions for castdev

Custdev is closer to an in-depth interview than to a simple survey. At the same time, custdev is similar to marketing research, but the latter is based only on consumer assessments. The goal of custdev questions is to identify the client's need or pain, to find out his opinion, and not to collect statistical data. 

The cards divided the list of Purchase Email Leads questions for the castdev by types, depending on the information the researcher needs. Scroll through the carousel:

How Cast Dev Interviews Can Improve Sales

Custev is conducted for both B2C and B2B. In addition to collecting information for product development and studying audience needs, custdev interviews can help you find ideas for increasing sales.