PROTOTYPE By DrJamil

A prototype is an original type, form, or instance of some thing serving as a typical example, basis, or standard for other things of the same category.

Prototyping is the process of quickly putting together a working model (a prototype) in order to test various aspects of a design, illustrate ideas or features and gather early user feedback. Prototyping is often treated as an integral part of the system design process, where it is believed to reduce project risk and cost. Often one or more prototypes are made in a process of iterative and incremental development where each prototype is influenced by the performance of previous designs, in this way problems or deficiencies in design can be corrected. When the prototype is sufficiently refined and meets the functionality, robustness, manufacturability and other design goals, the product is ready for production.

Design and modelingIn many fields, there is great uncertainty as to whether a new design will actually do what is desired. New designs often have unexpected problems. A prototype is built to test the function and feel of the new design before starting production of a product. The construction of a fully working full-scale prototype, the ultimate test of concept, is the engineers' final check for design flaws and allows last-minute improvements to be made before larger production runs are ordered.

Building the full design is often expensive and can be time-consuming, especially when repeated several times -- building the full design, figuring out what the problems are and how to solve them, then building another full design. As an alternative, "rapid-prototyping" or "rapid application development" techniques are used for the initial prototypes, which implement part, but not all, of the complete design. This allows designers and manufacturers to rapidly and inexpensively test the parts of the design that are most likely to have problems, solve those problems, and then build the full design.

Advantages of prototyping

May provide the proof of concept necessary to attract funding

Early visibility of the prototype gives users an idea of what the final system looks like

Encourages active participation among users and producer

Enables a higher output for user

Cost effective (Development costs reduced)

Increases system development speed

Assists to identify any problems with the efficacy of earlier design, requirements analysis and coding activities

Helps to refine the potential risks associated with the delivery of the system being developed

Disadvantages of prototyping

User’s expectation on prototype may be above its performance

Possibility of causing systems to be left unfinished

Possibility of implementing systems before they are ready.

Producer might produce a system inadequate for overall organization needs

Producer might get too attached to it (might cause legal involvement)

Often lack flexibility

Not suitable for large applications

Project management difficulties

Individual Assignment

Choose one product prototype and give the

details about that prototype.