Develop Prototypes

Prototyping involves creating early, simplified versions of your product to visualize and test key features and functionalities. This step is crucial for refining your ideas, identifying potential issues, and gathering feedback before moving to full-scale development. Prototypes can range from simple wireframes to interactive digital models.

Why it's Important

Visualize Ideas: Helps turn abstract concepts into tangible representations.
Gather Feedback: Allows for early user testing and feedback, reducing the risk of costly changes later.
Identify Issues: Detects design and functionality issues early in the development process.
Refine Features: Helps refine and prioritize features based on user interactions and feedback.
Stakeholder Communication: Facilitates better communication with stakeholders by providing a visual and interactive representation of the product.

How to Implement

Define Prototyping Goals

Clarify what you want to achieve with the prototype (e.g., testing usability, demonstrating a concept, exploring design options).

Select Prototyping Tools

Choose appropriate tools based on your prototyping needs (e.g., Sketch, Figma, InVision for digital prototypes; paper and pencil for low-fidelity sketches).

Create Low-Fidelity Prototypes

Start with basic wireframes or sketches to outline the primary structure and flow of your application.
Focus on key functionalities and user interactions without worrying about detailed design elements.

Develop High-Fidelity Prototypes

Transition to more detailed and interactive prototypes that closely resemble the final product.
Incorporate branding, design elements, and interactive features to simulate real user experiences.

Conduct User Testing

Test prototypes with target users to gather feedback on usability, functionality, and overall experience.
Observe user interactions and identify any pain points or areas of confusion.

Iterate and Refine

Use feedback from user testing to make necessary improvements and adjustments.
Iterate on the prototype, refining features and design elements until the desired outcomes are achieved.

Available Workshops

Prototyping Tools: Popular product and prototyping tools available.
User Testing Workshop: Conduct user testing sessions and analyze feedback.
Wireframing and Sketching Workshop: Develop skills for creating low-fidelity prototypes.
Interactive Prototyping: Create high-fidelity, interactive prototypes.
User Feedback Workshop: Implement effective iteration and feedback processes.

Deliverables

A clear, visual representation of your product concept.
Validated and refined features based on user feedback.
A well-documented prototype that can guide further development.
Enhanced understanding of user needs and preferences.
Increased confidence in the design and functionality of the product.

How to Measure

User Feedback: Collect qualitative and quantitative feedback from user testing sessions.
Usability Metrics: Measure usability aspects such as task completion rates, time on task, and error rates.
Iteration Cycles: Track the number of iterations made based on user feedback.
Stakeholder Approval: Gauge satisfaction and approval from stakeholders reviewing the prototypes.
Prototype Completeness: Assess how closely the prototype matches the envisioned final product in terms of features and design.

Real-World Examples

Dropbox

Scenario: Dropbox started with a simple video prototype demonstrating the product’s functionality.

Outcome: The video generated significant interest and validated the demand before full development.

Airbnb

Scenario: The founders created a simple website to test the concept of renting air mattresses in their apartment.

Outcome: Early user interactions and feedback helped refine the idea into the successful platform it is today.

Buffer

Scenario: Buffer launched with a two-page website prototype to validate interest in social media scheduling.

Outcome: Positive responses from users led to the development of the full product.

Get It Right

Start Simple: Begin with low-fidelity prototypes to quickly iterate and gather feedback.
Involve Users Early: Engage real users in the testing process as soon as possible.
Be Open to Feedback: Actively seek and incorporate feedback to improve the prototype.
Focus on Key Features: Prioritize and prototype the most critical features and interactions.
Document Changes: Keep track of feedback and iterations to ensure continuous improvement.

Don't Make These Mistakes

Overcomplicating Early Prototypes: Spending too much time on detailed designs in the initial stages.
Ignoring User Feedback: Failing to incorporate feedback from user testing.
Skipping Iterations: Not iterating enough to refine and improve the prototype.
Testing with the Wrong Audience: Not testing prototypes with the target user group.
Neglecting Documentation: Failing to document feedback and changes made during the prototyping process.

Provided courtesy of Deanne Watt, Chief Product Officer
MiNDPOP Group