[amanjaincorp]

RE: What failed?

Agreed this is a problem that your product needs to solve either way. This idea validation playbook allows you to face the problem early on as opposed to later.

RE: What happens when you're building an improved version?

I'd ask you why you think yours is an improved version? Is that a sure shot fact or up for the market to decide. If it's sure shot, they yeah skip the idea validation step. Sounds like your idea has more execution risk than market risk.

But if you think its subjective, then that's probably something you could find a creative way of solving using the Painted Door test or something similar.