How do you test and learn from creative prototypes?

Very true, and also this procedure helps you to look at things thoroughly before implementing them. For example, wireframe sketches helps you focus on just the layout without worrying too much about the details. Then the digital prototype allows you to share it with a few others for some feedback which helps you making the functional prototype much better

EXPERIMENT BY PRETOTYPING instead of PROTOTYPING… What is pretotyping? YOU FAKE IT BEFORE YOU MAKE IT ???. Check it out here … Pretotyping is a technique for testing hypotheses and validating ideas quickly and cost-effectively, founded by Savoia. It involves creating a simplified version of a product or service to collect user feedback and understand market demand. For example, in the food industry, a company may pretotype a new salad recipe by offering a limited quantity to a small group of potential customers to gauge their interest before investing in full-scale production. Pretotyping helps reduce the risk of failure by assessing market response early in the development process. Check out an example of Tesla later in this article.

While choosing the right prototype- remember, the best prototype isn't the most polished or complex one, but the one that effectively communicates and tests your idea! Start by identifying the main goal of your prototype. Is it to test functionality, design aesthetics, or user experience? Your purpose will determine the complexity and focus of your prototype.

The prototype is tested when an error is expected at any stage. The test is part of a long process that results in full functionality. Developers strive to validate continuous feedback- as the key element of the development phases- when asking users for feedback and surveys. One of the most effective ways to analyze the first draft of the product development phase is to test prototypes of quality, features and other key components to assess how the product behaves under different conditions.

Personally, the process of CPS starts from the point where I define a clear WHY statement for the problem identified. Is it worth solving ? A clear WHY statement gives me an anchor back to the solution constraints on which I am working on. Prototyping, at the end of the day, is WHAT you wish to solve considering the constraints of the system. Once this WHY statement is established, its time to delve into the prototyping process, which is to create a product which can influence aesthetics, functionality and self actualisation expectations. "WHY" you want to do that "WHAT" , offers the right answers to "HOW" to get it done !! These three primitive KPI's of product development helps me define the tools and process required for my CPS.

A well-defined test criteria is the foundation for successful testing and meaningful results. Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders when setting criteria to ensure diverse perspectives. And while it's tempting to test everything, focus on the most critical aspects to avoid overwhelming testers or diluting results. Also, remember- as the project evolves, periodically revisit and adjust the criteria to ensure they remain relevant.

Testing is a huge part of the evaluation phase and it is important that every prototype should help in validating or invalidating a solution or a hypothesis.

Having a well defined testing criteria also eliminates distractions and help you focus on the key factors you want to learn about.

Agree to have a defined structure for testing. Consistent measure of feedback is also vital so you can quantify the results into data and make action items accordingly. Plus management will want to know what and why before testing. Then also the resulting data in a simple and understandable way and finally the actions that are derived from the data the anticipated gain from those actions.

The prototype is an ideal and essential function to test the findings, so the proposals need to be refined. The only way to gather definitive, credible results is to have a preliminary plan of what you want to test (validation of a concept, ease of navigation, smooth flow or comprehensibility of labels, etc.).

10 WAYS TO EXPERIMENT In my experience as innovation facilitator, experimentation is an iterative process, and it's crucial to be open-minded to customer feedback as you validate your innovative solution. Here are ten ways you can experiment to validate a new innovative solution: 1. Conduct surveys or questionnaires. 2. Organize focus groups. 3. Create pretotypes, prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs). 4. Run A/B tests. 5. Conduct usability testing. 6. Set up pilot programs. 7. Engage in one-on-one interviews. 8. Implement feedback channels. 9. Monitor analytics and metrics: Track user engagement, usage patterns, and other relevant metrics to gain insights. 10. Seek early adopters and engage with them directly.

I agree and emphasize an important feature is choosing the right audience, the right people for your product. Choosing the wrong audience leads to irrelevant data or incorrect assumptions about the product.

PRETOTYPE AND IMPROVE LIKE TESLA Tesla used a Lotus Elise to interest potential buyers for their first car. In 2003, the founders of Tesla had an ambitious idea (an all-electric 2-door sports car). In order to convince potential buyers to order its car, Tesla created a pretotype of what the car would look like. Lotus supplied Tesla with a ‘glider’ Elise - which was filled with models of key components. This was not a prototype, because the vehicle didn’t function. Tesla was able to show buyers a close proxy for the final design. Tesla asked “Will you put down a $5,000 deposit to have it built to order?” From this test Tesla secured several hundred deposits, a non-trivial result to reassure their Investors.

For tests, I would emphasize asking the right questions before, during, and at the end of the process. When analyzing tests, you must collect what you liked best and/or least, and why and that such a product or process is suitable for use in reality. Then you can come up with a report.

Before creating the actual product you should first pretotype and then prototype. Place your pretotype into test groups to see how people engage with what you have to offer. Once collecting the data you take that data and look at what you received. This feedback loop can help you make corrections or cut out any fluff. Making a prototype and a product that no one wants or will use sucks. I would highly recommend reading a great book titled Lean Startup. It relies on “validated learning,” rapid scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that shorten product development cycles, measure actual progress without resorting to vanity metrics, and learn what customers really want.

This is true, but I consider sharing with your team and getting as many eyes on the project as possible to be key. Make sure that you simplify the intro to your project to make entry as easy as possible for your audience/team and solicit their thoughts and ideas. Company/team culture is absolutely paramount at this step. Fostering a culture that allows your team to be honest and speak up knowing that their ideas are valued is the most important part of any project, but especially prototyping. Be sure to credit their ideas during development and after the project launches.

From my experience, here are 3 things you must keep in mind: -Keep It Simple: Begin with a low-fidelity version. Use sketches, paper models, or basic wireframes. This makes iteration faster and is cost-effective. -Resource Awareness: Recognize the tools, time, and skills you have available. Don't aim for a high-tech prototype if you lack the tools or knowledge. - Flexibility: Ensure your prototype can evolve. As you gather insights, the ability to adapt is crucial.

If you are in front of your target audience, a well thought out idea will make sense verbally and one can incorporate constructive criticism to address issues before dedicating further resources. This helps to set the vision and building out a feasibly viable roadmap to address the goals set out in a call to action in the early planning and development stages.

It is so obvious that with every identified problem, there comes the need for a solution. Once a problem is identified, then the need to gather experts for brainstorming, creating ideas, gathering informations or suggestions and ways to solving the problem. All these mentioned, then the need to evaluate and decide which of these ideas will be the best and a solution to the problem. Testing is a key part of problem solving and this is where sampling comes in place. I will like to use “packaging” as an example using “plastic caps”and “sealing.” It as been discovered that “plastic caps are more durable & protective than “sealing.” It might be difficult sealing a product back once it’s opened! This is a feedback and a great learning process.