prototype

A prototype makes an idea concrete before the team spends much time developing it fully. It might be a screen sketch, clickable design or simple software version. The choice depends on the question you want to answer.

What can you investigate with a prototype?

A prototype lets you check early whether a design is understandable. Test users can show whether they find a button, complete a task or consider the steps logical. The findings help test assumptions and adjust the design.

A prototype therefore does not need every feature. It may already look like the final product while little works behind the scenes. A technical prototype may look simple and test just one interaction or solution. Its code is not automatically suitable for production: security, performance and error handling may still be missing.

Prototype, proof of concept or MVP?

A proof of conceptGlossary · In briefproof of conceptA proof of concept is a small-scale experiment that investigates whether an idea is technically or practically feasible before it is fully developed.Read more mainly investigates technical or practical feasibility. A prototype usually focuses on the form, behaviour or user experienceGlossary · In briefuser experienceUser experience, often abbreviated to UX, is the overall experience someone has when using a product, system or service.Read more of a possible solution. Both can be temporary and discarded after the investigation.

An MVPGlossary · In briefMVPMVP stands for Minimum Viable Product: the smallest usable version of a product that lets you test key assumptions with real users.Read more is an initial usable version for real users. It includes only the features needed to provide value and gather feedback from actual use. A prototype can precede an MVP, but is not necessarily a functioning or maintainable product itself.