Benefits From Using Prototyping.
The most expensive mistakes – are the mistakes made in the beginning of the project, because in the initial stages the most important decisions are taken. As the project progresses, the cost of errors is reduced. At the same time, the initial level of quality control is minimal and increases as we move the development process. Full-scale testing began only at later stages. The result is often too late identification of the most expensive mistakes and the subsequent costly refining system or its component parts.
At first glance it may seem that some projects are identical in essence and content. For example, online shop based on your existing system is typical projects for you. But the individuality of each project is laid even in its very definition. There is an opinion that the development of similar projects can take place without the design phase. I share this view only in part.
I would divide the task of design into creation of standard solutions that migrate from project to project and creative tasks that must be solved in each new project. (Requirement – is to automate model solutions, saving space for creativity). If you want to improve the quality and, consequently, to achieve economic recovery, then in each new project you simply have to take into account different input information.
Prototyping is not a panacea, but a way to avoid some costly mistakes, reduce risks. I think it is obvious that the users of the Internet shop on sale of fertilizers and agricultural machinery will be very different from users of shops selling clothes and glamorous accessories, as well as their behavior will be different on the site, the objects of attention, etc. Is your standard solution being able to accommodate differences of users? The standard solution – is a set of components, tested and proven in various projects. Understanding the need for their adaptation (customization) often occurs at the end, when it is a full-fledged testing and there are no free resources anymore. That is the most expensive mistake (overruns of the project time, leading to jobs involving all hands, the deterioration of quality). The paradox of the new economy- in order to save, you need to pay (investing in design).
Consider the criteria of evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of tools and methods of prototyping:
Speed of creation a prototype – is a very important criterion. It is very well, when the tool allows you to implement your idea “this button will be here” without any difficulty, without forcing you to link in the technology, preferences, etc.
Interactivity – is the ability of the prototype to respond to user actions and emulate real events.
Specification – is the ability to reflect in the prototype everything to the small details.
Needed re-rendering – re-drawing of the prototype takes additional time.
Accessibility for all participants of the project – accessibility to all participants of the project, such as customer, leadership, developers, graphic designer – is often a necessary condition for created prototype.
The possibility of making changes. The use of prototyping in the fact that it is possible to clarify some details of the future system; some points are discussed and clarified in the course of work. The prototype should be updated along with project artifacts, so the possibility of changes – is another important criterion.
Over the recent decades rapid prototyping services managed with solving lots of tech problems happening when trying to show a product, design or model. Have you ever faced such a problem too? Then you are invited to check out a rapid prototyping methodology site.
And remember that we are living in the world of digital technologies. Keep in mind that current web technologies give you a unique opportunity to try and to find anything you might need. Take advantage of them to search for cheap rapid prototyping. Should you want to be aware of the latest publications on the topic sign up for the RSS feed on this blog.
