PROTOTYPE

You can build prototypes for many items, including sculptures, automobiles, airplanes, computing systems, buildings, homes, outhouses, and reports.

Building a prototype on a project makes good sense, particularly when the investment in time and money will be large. You will only be investing a fraction of money on a scaled down version of the final product. Hence, you save not only time and money but also gain effort and confidence.

What if you don’t like the prototype? Then throw it away and build a new one. Imagine spending considerable money, time, and effort on something only to discover it’s no good—and you must discard it! A prototype avoids that circumstance.

Prototyping has several benefits. It comes in different forms, and you can build a crude model of the final product that has little or no capabilities. You can also build a prototype that’s just short of the final system. Or you can create a prototype that’s simply a sketch on paper of the ultimate product.

for Developing a Prototype

• Define the requirements or specification.
• Develop the fundamental structure of the prototype.
• Verify the prototype to see if it satisfies the requirements or specifications.
• Make revisions, if necessary.
• Determine whether to build upon the prototype or throw it away.
• Document the prototype.