Prototype

Week 9

Prototype:

“A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from”.
So in short, prototyping is a process of making a model of a system. According to information system, prototypes are engaged to help system designers to make a model of a information system which can be easy to manipulate for the users. It is a part of analysis phase.
Prototypes can be in different forms such as low sketches or paper screen, high tech operating systems using CASE( computer aided software engineering). Many companies use multiple prototyping tools like paper, visual basic etc.

"Some Advantages of Prototyping:

•  Reduces development time. 
• Reduces development costs. 
• Requires user involvement. 
• Developers receive quantifiable user feedback. 
•  Facilitates system implementation since users know what to expect. 
•  Results in higher user satisfaction. 
•  Exposes developers to potential future system enhancements." 

"Some Disadvantages of Prototyping

•  Can lead to insufficient analysis. 
•  Users expect the performance of the ultimate system to be the same as the prototype.
•  Developers can become too attached to their prototypes 
• Can cause systems to be left unfinished and/or implemented before they are ready. 
•  Sometimes leads to incomplete documentation. 
•  If sophisticated software prototypes (4th GL or CASE Tools) are employed, the time saving benefit of prototyping can be lost."

Prototype of a product design can be two types such as

1.  Lower fidelity prototyping 
2.  Higher fidelity prototyping

Reference : Google Image