How do you balance fidelity and functionality in your prototype?

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When you have an idea for a new product, service, or solution, you want to test it as soon as possible. But how do you create a prototype that is realistic enough to get feedback, but not too complex or costly to make? This is the challenge of balancing fidelity and functionality in your prototype. In this article, you will learn what these terms mean, why they matter, and how to find the right level for your project.

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Gregory Carson

Patent Attorney | Biomedical Engineer | Inventor

1 Fidelity vs Functionality

Fidelity refers to how closely your prototype resembles the final product in terms of appearance, interactivity, and detail. Functionality refers to how well your prototype performs the tasks or features that you want to test. Both aspects are important, but they have trade-offs. A high-fidelity prototype may look impressive and realistic, but it may also take more time, money, and skills to create. A low-fidelity prototype may be quick and cheap to make, but it may not capture the user experience or the feedback you need.

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Gregory Carson

Patent Attorney | Biomedical Engineer | Inventor
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In my experience as an inventor and patent attorney, frequently inventors focus too much on perfecting a first prototype. Close can be enough with prototypes, if it lets you show how it works it is likely enough.

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Anna Kamieniak

UX Lead at Etteplan
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Create prototypes that are good enough and yet cheap by focusing on its testing. Decide which features to test and which tools to use. In a Google Design Sprint, a simple PowerPoint may be enough to test app functionality, aiming for practical realism rather than high-end design. Design your prototype in tandem with its tests, letting the testing context make up for the prototype's simplicity. Carefully analyze feedback on usability, value, and problem definition to guide your improvements. Go beyond initial reactions like "I want this" to understand the deeper reasons. In specific scenarios, such as conducting a Lean Startup's Fake Door test, invest in polished visuals to meet the expectations of a professional, unmoderated environment.

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2 The Purpose of Your Prototype

One way to balance fidelity and functionality is to consider the purpose of your prototype. What are you trying to learn or achieve with it? Who are you testing it with? How will you measure the results? Depending on your answers, you may need different levels of fidelity and functionality. For example, if you are testing the feasibility of your idea, you may need a low-fidelity prototype that shows the basic functionality and mechanics. If you are testing the usability or desirability of your idea, you may need a higher-fidelity prototype that shows the interface, interactions, and aesthetics.

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Gregory Carson

Patent Attorney | Biomedical Engineer | Inventor
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If looking for investors function is important, but communicating the invention is the mission. If looking for manufacturing help detail is important, but completing the invention is the mission. If looking for patent protection a prototype is not important unless necessary to communicate how to make and use it.

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3 The Stage of Your Project

Another way to balance fidelity and functionality is to consider the stage of your project. How far along are you in the development process? How much do you know about your problem, solution, and users? How much do you need to validate or iterate on your idea? Depending on your answers, you may need different levels of fidelity and functionality. For example, if you are in the early stages of your project, you may need a low-fidelity prototype that allows you to explore different options and get feedback quickly. If you are in the later stages of your project, you may need a high-fidelity prototype that allows you to refine and polish your solution and get feedback accurately.

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Gregory Carson

Patent Attorney | Biomedical Engineer | Inventor
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The stage of your project refers to what is called reduction to practice in the world of patent applications. Reduction to practice is taking an idea and making it real. From thought to thing. Initial stages of prototype development frequently can occur on paper or in a computer simulator limiting costs. If the invention is complex and precision in assembly matters for its operation things may get expensive. Don't skip steps, put your ideas on paper to start.

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4 The Tools and Resources You Have

A third way to balance fidelity and functionality is to consider the tools and resources you have. What are the skills, materials, and technologies you can use to create your prototype? How much time and budget do you have to spend on it? How easy or hard is it to make changes or updates to your prototype? Depending on your answers, you may need different levels of fidelity and functionality. For example, if you have limited tools and resources, you may need a low-fidelity prototype that uses simple and accessible methods, such as paper sketches, cardboard models, or mockups. If you have more tools and resources, you may need a high-fidelity prototype that uses advanced and sophisticated methods, such as 3D printing, software development, or prototyping platforms.

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Gregory Carson

Patent Attorney | Biomedical Engineer | Inventor
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Availability and cost of use need to be considered even for your own resources. Virtually anything can be simulated with the technology and engineering expertise available today. Simple sketches and written descriptions can be all that is needed depending on purpose.

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5 The Risks and Benefits You Face

A fourth way to balance fidelity and functionality is to consider the risks and benefits you face. What are the potential outcomes and impacts of your prototype? What are the uncertainties and assumptions you need to test or reduce? How confident or flexible are you about your idea? Depending on your answers, you may need different levels of fidelity and functionality. For example, if you face high risks and benefits, you may need a high-fidelity prototype that minimizes the gaps between your prototype and your product, and maximizes the quality and reliability of your feedback. If you face low risks and benefits, you may need a low-fidelity prototype that maximizes the opportunities for learning and experimentation, and minimizes the cost and effort of your prototyping.

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6 The Feedback Loop You Create

A fifth way to balance fidelity and functionality is to consider the feedback loop you create. How do you collect, analyze, and apply the feedback you get from your prototype? How do you communicate and collaborate with your team, stakeholders, and users? How do you plan and execute your next steps based on your feedback? Depending on your answers, you may need different levels of fidelity and functionality. For example, if you create a fast and frequent feedback loop, you may need a low-fidelity prototype that allows you to make changes and test again quickly and easily. If you create a slow and infrequent feedback loop, you may need a high-fidelity prototype that allows you to get more comprehensive and conclusive feedback.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Gregory Carson

Patent Attorney | Biomedical Engineer | Inventor
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While not needed to apply for a patent for your invention, prototypes of all kinds are needed for many interactions with a new product, service, or solution. Constructively reducing an invention to practice (prototyping) is showing how to make and use it on paper. Actually reducing an invention to practice (prototyping) is making it in some demonstrable form. Be sure to consider the purpose the prototype is to be used for, as well as the audience you are presenting to.

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How do you balance fidelity and functionality in your prototype?

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1 Fidelity vs Functionality

2 The Purpose of Your Prototype

3 The Stage of Your Project

4 The Tools and Resources You Have

5 The Risks and Benefits You Face

6 The Feedback Loop You Create

7 Here’s what else to consider

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