Prototyping matters for businesses. The ability to see how a product will look and perform before it enters mass production is essential. It’s the ultimate cost-saving measure and prevents firms from putting out goods that don’t work.
The only problem is that prototyping is notoriously challenging. Essentially, you have to find a simple way to put the product together multiple times before finally declaring victory. James Dyson apparently went through 5,000 iterations before perfecting his vacuum cyclone technology.
This guide is meant to be a roadmap to help you if you’re on the prototyping journey. It shows you what to do at each step so you can go into the process properly prepared.
Define What You Want Your Prototype To Achieve
The first step is to consider what you want the prototype to achieve. In other words, how will you use it?
For some companies, the prototype is simply a test bed to see if a product can cope with real-world conditions. While it might seem to do well in a lab, nothing can prepare any creation for the rigours of reality.
For other companies, the prototype is about gathering feedback from your target audience. This way, you can make improvements before it goes into final production (when it’s too late to make changes without experiencing significant financial loss).
Start With Something Low-Fidelity
Once you have a rough idea of what you need, start with something low fidelity. You don’t need to approximate the finished product in the first iteration. You just need something that gets reasonably close to it or offers the basic features you want to test.
Once you have the first iteration, you’ll notice you can start gathering ideas to validate concepts. The more you do this, the more likely you are to get closer to what you want.
Focus On Usability
Next, focus on making the device as usable as you can. Don’t worry too much about the aesthetics just yet. You can refine those later.
Even if the prototype looks clunky, ensuring it works will help you get the most out of it. The device should be intuitive and work as people expect, even if there are bits sticking out or the case isn’t quite complete.
Document Your Decisions
As you experiment with your prototype, ensure you document the changes and additions you make. Keeping track of various model versions provides you with a history you can revisit later if required.
Make It Collaborative
Don’t attempt the prototype creation process alone. Instead, it should be a team effort using the expertise of third parties where possible.
For example, Tecan says customers regularly use it for finer details on their products instead of trying to do it themselves. It requires advanced technology that might not be available everywhere.
Many companies also use employees from various departments to bring unique knowledge to the project. The more they can leverage their expertise, the more likely the prototype is likely to be.
Celebrate Success
The final step is to celebrate prototyping success. It’s much harder than it sounds!
