Application Software Prototyping Techniques

APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
PROTOTYPING

AGENDA
• Introduction to Software Prototyping
• Types of Prototyping
• Prototyping Methods
• Benefits of Prototyping
• Common Tools for Prototyping
• Example of Prototyping
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INTRODUCTION TO
SOFTWARE
PROTOTYPING

DEFINITION, PURPOSE AND GOALS
• Software prototyping refers to the process of creating an early
model or simulation of a software application to visualize, test,
and refine ideas before full-scale development.
• Prototypes can range from simple sketches (low-fidelity) to fully
interactive models (high-fidelity).
• The primary purpose of prototyping is to gather user feedback,
clarify requirements, and explore design concepts, ensuring that
the final product aligns closely with user needs.
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DEFINITION, PURPOSE AND GOALS
• Prototyping is the process of creating an early model or
representation of a software application to explore ideas, test
functionality, and gather user feedback. It serves as a tangible way
to visualize and iterate on design concepts before the final product
is built. Prototypes can vary in fidelity, ranging from low-fidelity
versions (like sketches or wireframes) to high-fidelity versions (like
interactive applications that closely resemble the finished product).
The primary goals of prototyping include:
• Exploration of Ideas: Helping teams visualize and assess different
design approaches.
• User Involvement: Engaging users in the design process to ensure
their needs and preferences are met.
• Feedback Gathering: Allowing for early testing of features and
usability, leading to informed adjustments.
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DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN PROTOTYPES
AND FINAL PRODUCTS
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TYPES OF PROTOTYPING
1. Throwaway/Rapid Prototyping
•Description: Quickly developed models
created to test specific features or
concepts. These prototypes are typically
discarded after the feedback is collected.
•Example: A team sketches a new user
interface for a mobile app using paper
prototypes. They conduct user testing
sessions to gather feedback on layout and
navigation, then discard the sketches to
develop a more refined version based on
insights.
2. Evolutionary Prototyping
•Description: Prototypes that are built, tested,
and gradually improved over time until they
evolve into the final product. This approach
emphasizes continuous user feedback.
•Example: A web-based project management
tool starts with a basic version that includes
core functionalities. As users provide
feedback, the team iteratively enhances the
app, adding new features and refining
existing ones until the final product is
complete.
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3. Incremental Prototyping
•Description: The final system is designed as
a series of prototypes that are developed
and integrated incrementally. Each prototype
represents a portion of the overall system.
•Example: An e-commerce platform is
developed in stages. The first prototype
might include user registration and product
listings, while later prototypes add features
like payment processing and user reviews,
ultimately leading to a complete online store.
4. Extreme Prototyping
•Description: Primarily used in web
development, this method involves three
phases: creating a static model of the user
interface, developing a functional version,
and integrating it with backend services.
•Example: A healthcare application prototype
is first created as a static web page (Phase 1).
In Phase 2, the user interface is coded to
allow for interactive testing. In Phase 3, the
prototype is linked to a mock database,
enabling testing of data input and retrieval.
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Low-Fidelity Prototypes:
•Description: These are basic representations of
a design, often created using simple tools like
paper, sketches, or low-fidelity digital tools. They
emphasize structure and layout rather than
visual details.
•Purpose: Ideal for early-stage brainstorming
and gathering initial user feedback without the
distraction of intricate design elements.
•Example: Hand-drawn sketches of a mobile app
screen that illustrate layout and content
placement but lack color and interactive
elements.
High-Fidelity Prototypes:
•Description: These prototypes closely resemble
the final product, featuring detailed visuals,
typography, and interactive elements. They are
often built using advanced design tools.
•Purpose: Used for testing usability,
functionality, and user experience in a way that
mimics the final product as closely as possible.
•Example: A fully interactive app prototype
created in tools like Figma or Adobe XD, allowing
users to click through various screens and
experience realistic interactions.
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BENEFITS OF PROTOTYPING
1.
Enhanced User Feedback:
Prototyping allows users to interact with a tangible representation of the software, leading to more relevant and
actionable feedback that helps shape the final product.
2.
Early Detection of Issues:
By identifying design flaws and usability problems early in the development process, teams can make adjustments
before significant resources are invested, reducing the risk of costly revisions later.
3.
Improved Communication:
Visual prototypes bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, facilitating clearer discussions
and alignment on project goals and expectations.
4.
Requirement Clarification:
Prototypes help clarify and refine requirements by providing a visual representation of concepts, making it easier for
teams to understand what is needed.
5.
Iterative Development:
Prototyping promotes an iterative approach, allowing teams to continuously improve the design based on user
feedback and testing, resulting in a more user-centered product.
6.
Reduced Time to Market:
By streamlining the design and feedback process, prototyping can help accelerate the overall development timeline,
allowing for quicker releases.
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COMMON TOOLS FOR PROTOTYPING
1.Figma:
A collaborative design tool that
allows teams to create high-fidelity
prototypes, enabling real-time
collaboration and feedback.
2. Adobe XD:
A versatile tool for designing and
prototyping user experiences,
offering features for creating
interactive prototypes and user flows.
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3. InVision:
Focused on user experience
design, InVision allows for creating
clickable prototypes and gathering
feedback through built-in
collaboration tools.
4. Balsamiq:
A low-fidelity wireframing tool that
enables rapid creation of
wireframes, emphasizing layout
and structure without getting
bogged down in details.
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5. Axure RP:
A powerful tool for creating both
low and high-fidelity prototypes,
Axure allows for detailed
interaction design and
documentation.
6. Sketch:
Primarily used for UI design,
Sketch offers robust prototyping
capabilities, especially for web and
mobile applications.
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Application Software Prototyping Techniques

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