How NOT to start your IoT project

Too many companies today are searching for IoT applications simply because they feel they should be "doing IoT." They start with shiny sensors, gateways, and cloud structures, then work backwards to find problems to solve. This approach almost guarantees failure and wasted investment.

Start with pain, not products

I know, everyone will say to start from the 'needs'… Well, I will not be different here: before you buy a single sensor, ask yourself: What specific business pain are we trying to solve? What opportunities are we missing that better data could unlock? How will we measure success? Please, answer these three questions, don't skip the last one.

If you can't answer these questions clearly, you're not ready for IoT. The technology should be the solution to a well-defined problem—not a solution looking for a problem.

Even if you identify real pain points, don't start until you have a clear plan for how you'll realize value from the data you collect. Creating dashboards and collecting metrics isn't enough. You need processes, people, and systems in place to act on insights and convert them into measurable business outcomes.

Once you've identified the real need, focus on the applications, not the infrastructure. Use existing platforms and ready-to-deploy devices for your pilot projects. Businesses have no need or money to waste resources building things that don't add to their core expertise. Your competitive advantage lies in solving your business problems, not in becoming an IoT infrastructure company.

I discuss more about keeping IoT initiatives simple and manageable in my videos - the key is starting small and scaling what works.

Today's business discussions around IoT have shifted significantly. We're no longer talking about nice-to-have features or experimental projects. The conversation has evolved to focus on the risk of NOT starting an IoT initiative—the competitive disadvantage of falling behind in operational efficiency, predictive capabilities, and data-driven decision making.

The catch: your competition

Here's the uncomfortable truth about my "wait until you're ready" advice: while you're being prudent and strategic, your competition might be moving ahead with their IoT initiatives. Sometimes imperfect action beats perfect planning.

So think hard, move thoughtfully, but don't think so long that opportunity passes you by.

The key is finding the balance between rushing into IoT because everyone else is doing it, and waiting so long to act that you miss the competitive advantage it could provide.