Prototyping in System Development

Purpose of Prototyping

• The primary purpose of a prototype in system development is to validate assumptions and test hypotheses about the system's functionality and usability.

Evolutionary Approach

• The main characteristic of the Evolutionary approach to prototyping is that it involves a series of iterative refinements, where the initial prototype is continuously refined and improved until it reaches the desired level of functionality and quality.

Throwaway Approach

• The Throwaway approach to prototyping is distinguished by its focus on quickly building a prototype to test a specific idea or concept, with the intention of discarding it once the testing is complete, and then building a new prototype from scratch.

Benefits of Prototyping

• Prototyping provides stakeholders with a tangible representation of the solution, allowing them to visualize and interact with the system before it's fully developed.
• Prototyping enables early detection and correction of errors, reducing the risk of costly rework later in the development process.
• Prototyping offers a platform for testing and refining the system's functionality, usability, and performance, leading to a more robust and effective solution.

Learn about prototyping as a model of a system being developed, which may not be fully functional but provides opportunities for improvement through feedback. Explore the two main approaches to prototyping: Evolutionary and Throwaway.