It’s Thursday, more like half of our sprint is already behind us. There is only Thursday and Friday left to develop a working solution to our problem. Now that we’ve spent three days analyzing the problem, conducting interviews and gathering opinions, generating ideas for a solution, it’s time to make the chosen solution tangible. We build a prototype.
Fake it – Philosophy
We are building a prototype. Yesterday we were busy discovering the most plausible solution for us. We recorded these in a storyline with the most important steps. With our sketch we now take the next step and build a prototype. Before we start, I would like to give you a few tips about a prototype. Many people think again and again that you have to build a very complex and comprehensive product. Great design and extensive function. But that’s not right.
From the story to the real prototype
Anything can be used as a prototype
Efforts should be kept to a minimum if possible. Each format can serve as a prototype. This can be something made, built from bricks or painted on a sheet of paper. Everything is possible.
Prototypes must be attackable
It is important that the tester can pick up the prototype. The look and feel has to come across. You have to be able to see and touch the functions.
Build only as much as necessary to map the functions.
A prototype is used for testing, that’s exactly what it’s for and not anymore. Great design is not intended here and only costs time. We ask explicit questions and test certain functions. The prototype must have that and it must be possible to test and experience it.
Strategy, mindset and a plan
Here we go. Let’s get to the scissors, paper and glue. We have an idea, a plan and a goal. Determines which functions are most important and makes sure what is necessary to integrate them into the prototype. If the prototype has a very specific purpose, it must now be determined how it is to be implemented. The materials are completely open and can be freely chosen. Everything is allowed as long as the requirements are covered.
Now we are Building
We are building a prototype and preparing for testing. As this will take some time again, we should prepare as much as possible now. Think about how the tests will run, who and where your testers will be. Define an introduction and the questions that will be asked. How does a test work? Also you should already think about how you want to record the results. Are recordings necessary? Do you want to create a sheet to fill out?
And then it starts. We are ready for the test. Tomorrow on Friday the test round will start and the prototype will be tested for its suitability. But more about that on Friday.