Have you ever considered or asked yourself what the benefits of prototyping are? Or wondered what constitutes a prototype? If so, please read on as we try to explain it to you.
What is a Prototype?
A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming. A prototype is generally used to evaluate a concept, a feature, a new design so that we can learn from it.
In today’s world with the advent of things like the 3D printer, ideas can be modeled relatively quickly and at a fraction of the cost of tooling it, machining it from solid or fabricating it by other means. Where physical representation are required this is a good vehicle to employ.
Other ideas require often more complex developments to prove a concept, for example a custom designed piece of electronics. There are many ways in which the principles of the custom design can be realised in prototype form. For example with the advent of commercial off the shelf module like Raspberry Pi and the plethora of associated ancillaries, it is possible to consider the system as a black box. If you needed to understand how the inputs would influence an output like a light bulb. The by simple programming a device such as a Raspberry Pi and using a series of buttons/switch the inputs can be simulate, the output (light bulb) can be made to respond in different ways. Why you need the prototype and what you are trying to achieve, demonstrate or validate needs to be considered. It could be you have several scenarios of operation and need to determine which the customer prefers, or you might want to see how the users interact with the functionality. Using this type of approach and through observation and discussion you can than learn what is good or bad about the design, whether it addresses the problem you are trying to solve or whether the idea has little perceived value for the end user.
Now tools exist to allow you to experiment quickly, this is important as your ideas can be validated quickly from which you can determine if you:-
- refine the idea,
- pivot the idea or
- drop the idea.
Knowing this early on in the development process avoids costly mistakes and promotes a process of learning, experimenting and developing what is needed. In other words, prototyping a product is important because:
- It provides a true test of the design and its intended function
- It means that the prototyped unit can be tested in its true environment
- It helps identify potential overlooked issues with the approach, the manufacturing process or the design itself meaning it can be highlighted and changed / implemented ahead of full scale production
- It provides an opportunity for the vested parties to get familiar with the unit before product launch
- It is also a chance to review the prototyped unit and potentially add value
There are some disadvantages to prototyping? Producing prototypes has a cost and time element associated with it, particularly if multiple prototypes are produced. However, the consequence of not prototyping is that you don’t validate the design at the earliest opportunity and potentially overlook issues which could be costly, the product could have a negative impact in the market if you simply drive forward without checking you are on the right path. NPD is a costly exercise, utilising prototypes and combining them in short term sprints means you have good checks and balances within your process, you are managing risk, identifying problems early and ultimately delivering the right product to market, in the shortest possible time with confidence that you’ve made the right choices and will have a successful product in the market.
What does it cost to make a Prototype?
There is a cost associated with making prototypes but this needs to be weighed up against not prototyping and getting the product wrong. NPD and engineering is about managing risk. Prototyping is an essential tool to allow risks to be mitigated. There are many ways to elicit feedback on an idea and many won’t be expensive proving the key principles or concerns or ideas using prototypes will lead to better product development and will lead to quicker time to market.