Prototyping Model

Definition and Features of Prototyping

• A prototyping is an initial version of a software system.
  • Demonstrate concepts.
  • Try out design options.
  • Find out more about the problem and possible solutions.
• Rapid, iterative development of the prototyping is essential so that costs are controlled, and system stakeholders can experiment with the prototype early in the software process.
• A software prototype can be used in a software development process to help anticipate changes that may be required:
  • In the requirements engineering process, a prototype can help with the elicitation and validation of system requirements.
  • In the system design process, a prototype can be used to explore particular software solutions and to support user interface design.
  • A system prototype can be used while the system is being designed to carry out design experiments to check the feasibility of proposed design.
  • Prototyping is also an essential part of the user interface design process.

Benefits of Prototyping

• Improve system usability.
• A closer match to users’ real need.
• Improve design quality.
• Improve maintainability.
• Reduced development effort.

General Problems of Prototyping

• The prototype may not necessarily be used in the same way as the final system.
• The tester of prototype may not be typical of system users.
• The training time during prototype evaluation may be insufficient.
• If the prototype is slow, the evaluators may adjust their way of working and avoid those system features that have slow response times.