A prototyping model is described as a model of software development that enables the building, testing, and reworking of prototypes. This is fine until the desired prototype is gotten. A rapid prototyping China can adopt any of the models to create a base that will help in the final software.
Also, prototype models function best in projects with less detailed requirements. It is a repeated procedure that involves the client and developer.
Prototyping Model Phases
Here are the different phases that prototyping takes place in:
1. Gathering of Requirements and Analysis
Every prototyping model begins with the gathering of analysis and their requirements. Here, you will define the requirements in detail. The people who use the system are also interviewed during this process. This is used to know what they expect from the system.
2. Fast Design
In this phase, the designer is expected to create the system’s simple design. Unlike what you may think, this isn’t the complete design, but it rather gives you an idea of what the system will look like. In other words, the fast or quick designs help the smooth development of the prototype.
3. Create the Prototype
This is where the actual prototype is created, based on the idea gotten from the quick design. It functioned as a working model of the final required system.
4. Evaluation of Initial User
Here, the developer presents the proposed system to the client – to perform the initial evaluation. This helps to indicate certain strengths and weaknesses the working model has. The developer then picks our concerns and suggestions of the client and proceeds to work on them.
5. Refining the Prototype
In case the client isn’t satisfied with the prototype presented to them, you will need to collect it back and effect changes to the designs.
The refining prototype phase isn’t complete if the client or users hasn’t indicated their satisfaction with the product. When the user is happy with the prototype, you can go ahead to develop the final prototype.
6. Maintain Product
After developing the final system, you can test it and start production. Here, the final system is passed through maintenance routines as this will help to minimize the occurrence of large-scale issues.
Types of Prototyping Models
1. Rapid Throwaway Prototype
This is where a developed prototype gets discarded. They aren’t part of the final accepted prototypes. This method is important because it helps for the easy exploration of ideas as well as earning real-time feedback for the user’s requirements
2. Incremental Prototype
Here, the final system is divided into varieties of small prototypes for individual development. After a while, they are merged to form one product.
Most importantly, this method is used to minimize the time of feedback between the development team and the user.
2. Evolutionary Prototype
This involves the refinement of the developed prototype to suit the customer’s feedback. It isn’t sent for production until there’s approval by the client. What this does is that it helps you to save your effort and time. That’s because starting from scratch to develop a prototype can be quite frustrating.
Final Thoughts
In all, you must understand that prototype models aren’t accepted until the user approves of them. Ideally, the product tends to go through a series of building, creating, and reworking until there’s an acceptance.
