Pros and Cons of Prototyping Complex Projects 506d6f

Do you need a prototype for your project? Interestingly, according to some historians, the builders of the Titanic did not use a prototype in its construction. Whereas, the Wright brothers, credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful airplane, developed many prototypes on their road to success.

Without a doubt, you want your projects to have the success associated with the Wright brothers and not the Titanic. History clearly testifies to the advantages of using a prototype model.

But what is prototyping software? Is there mobile app prototyping? And what does successful website prototyping involve?

What is the Prototype Model? b131p

The Prototyping Model is a systems development method (SDM). With this method, the prototype (which is an initial version of the final system or product) is constructed, evaluated by being used, and then redesigned as many times as necessary until a version is produced that the complete system or product can then be made to resemble.

This method is valuable in situations under which all the project requirements are not fully known beforehand. It is a repetitive and, at times, monotonous process that occurs between the developers and the s.

When to use the Prototyping Model? 4c216w

Frequently, prototypes are used when deg and constructing projects that are physical, or in manufacturing. In many circumstances, though, projects are being constructed with software which has numerous adjusting variables and undetermined systemizations. This is the case with websites and mobile apps.

In these cases, the Prototyping Model can be an important and beneficial endeavor.

Why Prototyping is so useful? 6b682n

When you simulate aspects or functions of a product or system in a Prototype Model, the designers and s can uncover elements, unanticipated effects, restraints or needed functions that previously were not foreseeable.

Obviously, by addressing these issues the team can create a solution, or product, that more fully meets the needs and wants of the .

When the team identifies needed improvements early on, and they also hear the viewpoint of the s, they can more accurately and efficiently anticipate costs and time estimations.

As a result of people having an opportunity to use and experience the solution in its initial development, developers will be able to make adjustments earlier rather than later.

This is very important financially, because the cost of making changes often grows significantly as a project develops. It is almost always less expensive to adjust or fix something early on in a project.

By having these precise estimations of anticipated costs and time, developed by using a Prototype Model, several actions will be positively affected when releasing a final solution to production.

Phases of the Prototype Model 2y2o6c

There are several phases involved in using the Prototype Model, but they all start with design thinking, or design prototyping. Then, to test your design thinking, choosing which prototype process to use, from Low Fidelity and Medium Fidelity to High Fidelity.

The fidelity of a prototype refers to how close it will be to the final product, such as its level of detail and realism. Usually, a prototype’s fidelity is chosen based on the goals of prototyping, completeness of design, and available resources. Now, let’s take a closer look at how to go from an idea to the final product.

Design Prototyping n5v2k

Design prototyping is a thinking process. You must focus not only on what the product currently looks like and the problems that exist now. You must also be able foresee how the product today, and the changes you intend to implement, will affect later versions and, for a certainty, the final product.

Low Fidelity 6k6j4k

The step known as Low Fidelity is when the basic intersection process and functions of the software are tested in respects to performance. It has some characteristics of the target product but is basic and simple.

It allows adjustments to be made quickly and without hassle. This prototype production is the cheapest of any type of prototyping.

Medium Fidelity h5nl

This step takes longer to develop because it involves more details being inserted into the prototype and the interaction is closer to the end product experience. Frequently, this phase allows s to have an experience closely resembling what the final product will be like.

High Fidelity 1n3n42

This is the nearest stage to the final product. It includes lots of details and functionality. All the features and interactions of the final solution are included at this point. It is the most accurate and elaborate stage.

Much effort and time is necessary in this phase. At this stage, if an adjustment is needed, it can be very difficult to make it, however, it is crucially important to do so.

Development Prototyping f6k18

There are many forms of developmental prototyping. Let’s examine Throwaway Prototypes, Extreme Prototypes and Incremental Prototypes more closely.

Throwaway Prototype 2f6cu

The fundamental idea of a Throwaway Prototype is that rather than producing permanently fixed design or coding, a Throwaway Prototype is built to ascertain the requirements of the project.

This prototype is created based on the initially known requirements, which are often vague, with the purpose and ability to adjust the design or coding as more requirements are revealed before they become permanently fixed.         

Extreme Prototyping 6m275d

Extreme Prototyping is primarily used for web applications. Frequently, it includes three Steps:

1. Static HTML/CSS/JS is created. This allows the s an immediate real feel of the product.
2. The service layer is simulated, including the business rules and logic.  An actual service layer is created. Integration with real-world systems is involved in this step and then plugged into the front-end HTML/CSS/JS views.

In this prototyping, s have an early preview into the application while it does not have actual functionality behind it. The backend gradually develops as the process comes to completion.

Incremental Prototyping 59275i

In incremental prototyping, aspects of the system are created separately and then plugged together to build a complete application. Multiple development cycles are required and are divided into smaller parts that are more easily managed.

It is valuable to develop the interfaces for the distinct components early, because integration can at times prove to be an extremely challenging effort.

Advantages of Prototyping 4hx71

Prototyping involves your . 5w6j5d

One of the most notable advantages to prototyping is that it includes the . Inherent to prototyping is involvement. They enjoy the experience of being involved in development as well as being able to participate with an operating version of their project.

Prototypes reduce misunderstandings and prevent unfulfilled expectations. Further, they aid in accumulating from the earliest phases of development. With prototypes, s are quickly able to provide their thoughts, petition a change in the project and modify details of the model.

Prototyping saves money. 66121b

It is a common phrase in business, that a ‘penny saved, is a penny earned.’ For a certainty, prototyping aids in ‘saving pennies.’ Prototyping improves the ability to detect needed changes early in the project. Consequently, the overall time and costs of a project are reduced.

As a result of prototyping, areas of cost can be foreseen that were not anticipate beforehand. Changes that need to be made can be addressed before the adjustment process becomes overwhelming and expensive. Problems, both immediate and long-term, can be isolated and corrected, thus avoiding embarrassing and costly refinements later.

Disadvantages of Prototyping 5q375l

s may think the prototype is the final version. 3g4a3c

Perhaps the greatest frustration with the Prototype Model is that, at times, s misunderstand it to be the final product. s may become exasperated with an early version of the product and not want to use a later, improved and refined copy because they think it has the same failings as the version they used.

Conversely, yet also a problem, is that the may really enjoy a feature included in the early models but are not included later. In both cases, the incorrectly concludes that the prototype they have used will exactly portray the final system.

Prototyping has an upfront cost. 6x2ko

It is true that prototyping saves costs in the final and continuous phases of development, yet there will be upfront costs involved in the phases of prototyping.

Also, it is very important to that there is the potential to incur costs in developing a prototype that may end up being completely thrown away. Even in this case, though, what the developers learn can be extremely beneficial.

Examples of How to Use Prototyping for Web and App Development  6c115w

QPSoftware is a software developer that is very familiar with design prototyping.

Our skill in using the WordPress and other web developers gives tus a unique and ideal approach to prototype development. Examples of our development prototyping work includes:

Montagut 4e4v3s

Known for classic French style and elegance, the French clothing brand, Montagut, was founded in 1880 and first entered the Chinese market through its Hong Kong headquarters. They have since opened numerous stores across Asia, with now over 300 points of sale within China alone.

Using High Fidelity design prototyping, QPSoftware developed a fresh E-commerce presence that is accessible across a wide range of devices, browsers, and languages; as well as an iOS/Android mobile loyalty program app to increase sales and improve retention.

TechTrek 2x3v6e

TechTrek is a technical education center based in Beijing, China. They focus on developing and delivering exciting, skill development tech courses for children. Using their original and advanced approaches, young learners develop the tech skills they need to thrive in the modern world.

QPSoftware developed the TechTrek website, including the virtual reality tour of their amazing learning environment, using Throwaway Prototype design prototyping. In determining the needs of their project, small parts of the system were developed and then evaluated.

The s provided which was incorporated into the development of the main system. The prototype was then thrown away, but it resulted in a successful website that was exactly what TechTrek needed.

Prototyping Tools 4181a

What are prototyping tools? They are the means to enable designers to experience the idea of the functionality of their product.

The prototyping tools allow designers to imitate the application flow and test performances. Prototyping tools assist in the collaboration process between designers and clients.

These tools show a visual overview of what is actually in the process of being designed. Essentially, they help to make your product development faster and more effective.

There are free prototyping tools available, as well as others that you can purchase. And there are a variety of prototype tools that exist. To produce prototypes, designers will make use of several of these tools, some complex and others quite simple, this being determined by the needs of the designer.

Conclusion 502p5o

The famous American inventor and stateman Benjamin Franklin once observed that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. This is as true today as when he said the quote. Prototyping in software engineering is ‘an ounce of prevention,’ so to speak.

Those who are the most successful in the app development industry have prioritized interface (UI). Thus, UI prototyping is key in being competitive. An outstanding experience (UX) will result in your app being ed by the , so UX prototyping cannot be ignored either.

Really, when a project demands revisions and end , prototyping is a necessity. Prototyping can shape the direction of an entire project and its outcome.

QPSoftware is a top E-commerce web agency that uses methods discussed in this article, as well as others, like UCDC ( Centered Design Canvas) meetings and Rapid prototyping/co-creation (paper sketching) for frontend and backend, for all types of s. We are a digital agency located in Shanghai, China offering design prototyping and development.

QPSoftware today to find out how prototyping can assist you in achieving your next project goals.