Progress Report of November 16, 2012 | Part Four of Five
Study Notes: Why Prototype? What Makes a Good Prototype?
A prototype is a testable, early version of an idea.
Why prototype?
What makes a good prototype?
> Sketches of interface screens
> User interface states are pre-determined.
> User interactions are specified in advance.
> Decide what to measure and get accurate feedback.
> Choose correct users, ask them to think aloud and interview them when testing is finished.
> Integrate findings.
> Test again with users.
Study Notes: Why Prototype? What Makes a Good Prototype?
A prototype is a testable, early version of an idea.
Why prototype?
- To answer questions and generate new ones.
- Validate assumptions.
- Compare alternatives.
- Fail early and inexpensively. Succeed sooner.
- To visualize your ideas and share them with your team, investors, clients and end-users.
What makes a good prototype?
- Quick - Create multiple versions and iterate with speed.
- Cheap - Little cost to start all over, if desired.
- Minimalist - Design with only the features that are necessary.
- Testable - End-users/customers can try it out before it gets developed.
- Measurable - Gather the metrics on what works/doesn't work.
- Planning
> Sketches of interface screens
- Building
> User interface states are pre-determined.
> User interactions are specified in advance.
- Testing
> Decide what to measure and get accurate feedback.
> Choose correct users, ask them to think aloud and interview them when testing is finished.
- Refining
> Integrate findings.
> Test again with users.
- Sharing