Effective Prototyping Outline

Copyright Charles S. Tritt, Ph.D.
April 6, 1997

1. What is a prototype?
2. What types of prototypes are there?
1. Physical versus analytical.
2. comprehensive versus focused.
3. What are prototypes for?
1. Learning.
2. Communication.
3. Integration.
4. Milestones.
4. What are the principles of effective prototyping?
1. Analytical prototypes are generally more flexible than physical prototypes.
2. Physical prototypes are required to detect unanticipated phenomena.
3. Prototypes may reduce the risk of costly iterations.
4. Prototypes may expedite other development steps.
5. Prototypes may change task dependencies.
5. How should prototypes be planned?
1. Define the purpose of the prototype.
2. Establish the level of approximation required.
3. Outline an experimental plan or uses.
4. Create a schedule for procurement, construction and testing.
6. What type of planning milestone prototypes are there?
1. Experimental or engineering prototypes (prove concepts).
2. Alpha prototype (both prototype parts and production process).
3. Beta prototype (production parts and prototype process).
4. Preproduction (pilot production and process verification).
7. Why prototype software products?
1. User interface evaluation.
2. Performance (concept) testing.

Reference: Product Design and Development. Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1995.