Prototyping

Bringing ideas to life

This article explores prototyping, examining its benefits and how it may be useful for you when developing digital products and services.

What is a prototype?

Prototyping is the process of creating tangible representations of ideas. It allows designers, developers, and other stakeholders to explore different concepts, test functionality, and gather feedback from users.

Prototypes don’t have to be developed in isolation from your end users, in fact, though co-design and other human centred design approaches, your users can be active participants in their design.


Prototyping a digital product Concept Wireframe The seed of an idea, often visualised through sketches or mood boards. The skeletal structure, focusing on layout and functionality. Functional prototype Clickable prototype A high-fidelity representation of the final product, showcasing look and feel and core functionality Adding a layer of interactivity to the wireframe.

Benefits of prototyping

Being more concrete, prototyping has immediate benefits in that it can be used to:
  • Visualise and communicate ideas to a wider audience
  • Gather feedback from users or customers
  • Test features and functionality, including usability testing
  • Rapidly iterate and improve
  • Raise confidence that the the end solution will be usable, useful and desirable
  • More accurately estimate development effort, time and cost
  • Serve as a reference for designers and developers of the interaction states, user journeys and overall experience being sought
  • Assess the product or services overall feasibility before any development commitment has been made
  • Support the business case and gain stakeholder buy-in to bring the prototype into production.
See Prototyping as risk mitigation below for other benefits.

When can a prototype be used?

Prototyping can be used at any stage of the service or product lifecycle, from early concept development to final testing.

Prototyping empowers product owners, designers, developers, and organisations to transform ideas into reality. It's an essential tool for human-centred design, applicable throughout the entire product lifecycle.

Different types of prototypes

Generally prototypes are classed on a spectrum from low-fidelity sketches to high-fidelity functional prototypes.

Low-fidelity prototypes are simple and inexpensive to create. They can be simple as a sketch or a wireframe. They are often used to test basic concepts and get feedback from users.

High-fidelity prototypes are more realistic and functional than low-fidelity prototypes. They are often used to test specific features and interactions. Being functional, they also have advantages in usability testing.

Prototyping as risk mitigation

Prototyping reduces risks before a product or service is brought into production. By creating tangible representations of ideas, they minimise the uncertainties and potential pitfalls associated with launching a new or changed offering.

For example, they can reduce risks through:
  • Concept testing: Prototypes can be used to test and validate concepts before significant time and resources are invested. This can involve creating low-fidelity prototypes to gather early feedback on the core idea and its potential value proposition.
  • Functionality testing: Prototypes enable the testing of a product or service's features and interactions. This helps identify any technical or usability issues early on, reducing the risk of costly rework during later development stages.
  • Usability testing: Prototypes provide an opportunity to gather user feedback on the overall experience. This helps uncover any pain points or areas where the design may not meet user expectations, allowing for refinements before significant investments are made.
  • Feasibility assessment: Prototyping helps assess the technical and logistical feasibility of a product or service. This includes evaluating the availability of technology, resources, and expertise required for development, reducing the risk of pursuing a concept that may not be viable.
  • Cost and time estimation: By working with prototypes, development teams can gain a more accurate understanding of the effort, time, and resources required for full-scale production. This helps in creating realistic project plans and budgets, minimising the risk of overruns or delays.
  • Stakeholder buy-in: Prototypes serve as tangible evidence of a concept's potential. This can be instrumental in securing stakeholder buy-in and investment, reducing the risk of projects being stalled due to lack of support or funding.
By proactively addressing these risks through prototyping, organisations can make informed decisions about whether to proceed with development, ultimately increasing the chances of launching successful products and services.