Last week, we wrote a simple breezy introduction to Rapid Prototyping and how it is a Startup's best bet at winning users and investors. The thing about Rapid Prototyping is, it is a simple process. It has a simple motive. The process is to create a semi-functional mock-up of your end product. The motive is simply to build trust. But simplicity is meaningless without context. Which is why we chose to lend context to Rapid Prototyping by factoring its importance for a Startup Venture.
The context has been set. The process, introduced. So shall we dive in the nuance now? As you will notice in our previous week's post, there are three words that will rule your screen when you are reading about Rapid Prototyping :

Build – Review – Refine.

In our previous article on this topic, we told you  briefly what the use of Rapid Prototyping is. We said
"With every new refinement, the prototype and by extension, the product is further debugged, further reviewed and further streamlined in order to provide a UX design which truly engages the users." But how does this process truly happen?
Stage 1: Research

• Research: Mining for information regarding the product class, the market scope and understanding the aspects of the product in terms with usability and marketability.
• Competitive Analysis: Creating the understanding of the product. This consists of understanding the key appeal of the product.
• Product Vision: Preparing the ground for the Product's scope in real world. Determining the key features and the core appeal of the product.

This phase takes stock of the big picture of the product and the ways it will draw attention of the end user towards the product.

Stage 2: Feature Breakdown and Foundation Building
The nuts and bolts of the product prototyping. This stage includes:

• Feature Breakdown:  asking and discussing the most important questions of the product development. What are the key features of the product?
• Which feature is the highest priority? Develop the features that can convey the idea of your product.
• What role it should play in the UX development?
• This stage focuses in building and understanding the wireframes and mockups. The key determination allows developers to understand how the product is supposed to behave in real world.

Stage 3: Design and Refine
The third stage of the Rapid Prototyping focuses on:

• Prototype Construct: Building a visual mock up of the product through wireframes and working prototypes evolutionally.
• What this means? Now that we know the key functionality, it is time to design how they are presented.
• The key screens for your end product, how they will appear, what will they represent in terms of aesthetic and functionality?
• Key Motives: Refinement and Streamlining the UI and UX for mobile/web interface in order to lay a detailed development foundation for product's rapid development and release.

Rapid Prototyping is a comprehensive and exhaustive process. The important role it plays is dual in nature, for both Startups as well as the developers.

Key Benefits for Startups:

• As a Startup, you get to see how your end product will look like as well as behave in the real world.
• You also get to use this prototype to pre-sell your idea to a potential investor as well as gauge user response for further refinement through traction, feedback and product reactions.

Key Benefits For Developers:

• Rapid Prototyping allows your developer to fully understand the product's vision and the core intent behind the end product. This understanding fuels the rapid development in the product in terms of UI and UX design.
• It allows the developers to sieve through the noise and determine which features will be emphasized in the interface both in terms of visibility and accessibility in order to capitalize on the key appeal of the product for the end user.

The point is, make it better in iterations! And that, dear entrepreneur, is your key take away. To make it better and better and better. Next Week: The Finale of Rapid Prototyping Series: What are the tools of Rapid Prototyping and which ones suit your need? Stay Tuned.

Vinfotech is a Web Development and Design firm with a keen focus on Rapid Prototyping services for our Startup clients. If you are an entrepreneur who needs to understand their product, we can help.