Validate demand and delivery supply together
Course overview · 4 min reading + 12 min practice, estimated
Principles and method
Demand evidence can include relevant vacancies, business changes and direct buyer conversations, but none alone proves a viable service. Investigate how often the problem occurs, how buyers solve it and whether they have authority and willingness to engage. In parallel, examine candidate supply and your ability to reach and assess it. A niche with attractive fees but no credible delivery route can damage trust. Keep source dates and separate observed demand from inferred opportunity. Use a range of conversations rather than only friendly contacts.
Worked example
Several firms advertise a role, but interviews reveal they fill it internally or through an existing retained provider. The recruiter revises the entry proposition instead of counting every advert as available agency revenue.
Put it into practice
Create a validation plan with five buyer questions and three talent-market checks.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Compare your approach: self-review guidance
Include alternatives, buying process and delivery feasibility. Record negative evidence. A useful plan can conclude that a niche should be narrowed, changed or rejected.
Sources and further reading
Original Academy teaching and fictional examples. These references provide context, not endorsement. Edition 2026.09; updated 2026-09-24.
- CIPD: Recruitment
Professional context for the recruitment lifecycle.
- GOV.UK: Set up a business
UK starting point. Business structure and obligations depend on the circumstances.