Prototyping is a powerful tool for product managers to communicate their vision, test their assumptions, and gather feedback from stakeholders. But how can you use prototyping effectively to achieve these goals? In this article, you will learn about the best ways to use prototyping for stakeholder communication, based on the principles of design thinking and prototyping.
Before you start prototyping, you need to have a clear understanding of the problem you are trying to solve and the audience you are trying to reach. This will help you define the scope, purpose, and criteria of your prototype, and avoid wasting time and resources on irrelevant or unrealistic features. You can use tools like personas, user stories, and problem statements to articulate the needs, goals, and pain points of your target users, and how your solution will address them.
Prototyping is an invaluable tool for stakeholder communication, allowing you to convey complex ideas concretely and interactively. Use prototypes to demonstrate core functionalities, user flows, and design concepts, facilitating early feedback and alignment on vision. Opt for varying fidelity levels—low-fidelity for initial concepts and high-fidelity for more detailed interactions. Encourage stakeholders to interact with prototypes, making abstract concepts tangible and identifying potential issues early. Regularly update prototypes based on feedback to ensure they reflect stakeholder input and expectations, fostering collaboration and buy-in throughout the development process.
Tenho 3 princípios básicos para protótipos de solu??es digitais: 1 - Entender o problema ou necessidade; 2 - N?o se apegar à solu??o, mas sim ao problema (um protótipo é apenas uma hipótese); 3 - O protótipo precisa ser testável. O usuário chave ou outros stakeholders precisam interagir, mesmo que de forma bem simples. Primeiramente, crio vers?es de baixa fidelidade (wireframes) utilizando o Figma. Em seguida, compartilho a vers?o navegável com os usuários-chave, acompanho a avalia??o e vou anotando as melhorias como comentários em cada item do wireframe. Repito esse processo até obter uma vers?o do protótipo de alta fidelidade ou até que esteja suficientemente validada para prosseguir para o desenvolvimento efetivo.
Be aware of the level of certainty you have on your problem space: are you discovering opportunities, getting ideas, evaluating existing ideas, or already evaluating specific things as usability. In any case, think also about the stakeholders that are going to take action on the learnings provided by the prototype, and adjust the storytelling. For example, use a user testing to change opinion of a stakeholder on a given idea, or use a conviction prototype to persuade on the benefits of a new idea.
Créer un prototype passe par la définition du problème qu’on adresse et le public visé. Récemment dans la construction d’une app pour suivre et générer toutes les dépenses d’abonnement, voici ce que j’ai fait : — Définir clairement les différents personas — écrire les récits utilisateurs pour chacun — écrire les objectifs des personas Cela m’a aidé à définir la portée du prototype, son objectif et ses critères. De plus vous pouvez fédérer les parties prenantes et les engager pleinement dans la réalisation du prototype sans perdre du temps et des ressources sur des fonctionnalités non pertinentes ou irréalistes.
One of the most significant challenges I've faced is effectively communicating complex product concepts to diverse stakeholders. Early in my career, I learned the hard way the importance of clearly defining the problem and audience before presenting any prototypes. During a crucial meeting to showcase a new feature, I realized that my prototype failed to resonate with the marketing team because it didn't address their specific concerns about messaging and positioning. From that experience, I now ensure that my team starts by articulating the core problem we're trying to solve and identifying the unique perspectives of each stakeholder. Now I always do meetings with several stakeholders to ensure that we have pre-alignment.
Prototypes can vary in their level of detail, realism, and interactivity, depending on the stage of development and the type of feedback you want to collect. For example, low-fidelity prototypes, such as sketches, wireframes, or paper models, are useful for exploring and validating ideas, generating feedback, and iterating quickly. High-fidelity prototypes, such as mockups, simulations, or functional prototypes, are useful for testing and refining the look, feel, and functionality of your solution, and demonstrating its value and feasibility. You should also consider the format of your prototype, such as digital or physical, static or dynamic, and how it will match the context and expectations of your stakeholders.
Alguns tipos de protótipos de baixa fidelidade que gosto de ter em minha caixa de ferramentas: a) Fake door: podemos ter um site anunciando o produto sem ele existir ainda. Assim a gente consegue medir o interesse de usuários na solu??o. b) Mockup: design das telas do aplicativo ainda sem funcionarem. Conseguimos validar a UX (experiência do usuário) desta forma. c) Wireframe: seria um protótipo com alguma forma de navega??o entre as telas, para entender o fluxo que o usuário vai realizar e se tem dúvidas e problemas no processo.
Prototyping comes in many forms, from low-fidelity sketches to fully interactive high-fidelity prototypes. The key is to choose the appropriate fidelity and format based on the stage of the product development cycle and the stakeholders involved. For instance, when exploring early-stage concepts with engineers, I've found that low-fidelity prototypes encourage more open discussions and reduce the risk of getting bogged down in implementation details. However, when presenting to executives or potential investors, a polished, high-fidelity prototype can be a powerful tool for conveying the product's value proposition and user experience.
- Choosing the right fidelity and format is essential when using prototyping for stakeholder communication, drawing from my experience in product management at the previous startups. - For example, when prototyping a new user interface for the web platform, we started with low-fidelity wireframes to quickly iterate on layout and functionality, gathering feedback from stakeholders. - As the design matured, we transitioned to high-fidelity mockups to provide stakeholders with a more realistic representation of the final product, enabling them to visualize the user experience and provide more detailed feedback.
You need to derisk as early and as cheaply as possible. Do not go to high-fidelity until you are converging on a solution. Start basic, pen and whiteboard or tools like Miro are fantastic for gaining alignment and rapidly iterating through the early versions of a solution. As you converge towards greater certainty then the fidelity (detail and quality) of your prototype needs to increase as the 'devil is in the detail' at this stage. Items such as error states, empty states and UI behaviours all contribute to the final polished solution and whilst some will leave this to the engineering phase, it is far cheaper and faster to resolve at the design phase and then let the engineers whip through and build it!
The nature of understanding, the complexities of the feature requirements, the interactivity level and the deadlines (the most important ??) define your strategy to set up the fidelity and the type of the prototype you can make for your stakeholders. How easily they can understand the proposed solution will define if a figma prototype is needed or a pencil sketch is also enough for them to grab the outcomes. Secondly, what are their expectations, would they want to see the tip of the UX iceberg with the proposed solution or do they want to see the overall impact as well, that would also set the theme and thr type of prototype which can show better what they wanna see.
Once you have your prototype ready, you need to prepare and present it to your stakeholders in a way that will elicit constructive and actionable feedback. You should plan your presentation ahead of time, and decide on the goals, questions, and methods of your feedback session. You should also explain the purpose, scope, and limitations of your prototype, and invite your stakeholders to interact with it and share their thoughts and feelings. You should avoid leading or defending your prototype, and instead listen and observe carefully, and ask open-ended and probing questions.
In preparing the prototype, we must make sure that the prototype is made in such a way that it represents the features of the main product. Otherwise, the prototype can mislead the stakeholders in knowing the main product. After preparing the prototype, we should present it so that the stakeholders can get a proper understanding of the final product. If the stakeholders get a good understanding of the product by seeing the prototype, they will be more involved in the rest of the product development stages.
The story of the prototype is as important as the prototype itself! ?? Prepare for the presentation of the prototype keeping the following in mind: 1. Talk about the critical aspects of the features built. 2. Emphasize on points which require continual feedback and stakeholder alignment. 3. Do not lead or defend the prototype, be open for criticism. 4. Spend more time on the problem discovery and metrics that your work will impact. 5. In the end, open the floor for questions and discussions to get the right direction and set the right expextation for further iterations.
Presenting to stakeholders is like story telling; prepare what you want to discuss, spend time preparing the data and insights that will prove your points, and spend as much time if not more on the graphics, charts and tables that can clearly highlight the points you are making. Senior stakeholders are mainly interested in what you are trying to showcase, why you are doing that, and what is the expected return if your changes are implemented.
Data-Driven Prototypes: Integrate real user data or analytics directly into your prototype. This could involve showing user heatmaps on specific functionalities or A/B testing results within the prototype itself. This approach provides a more tangible connection between user behavior and the product's design.
Effective stakeholder communication through prototyping goes beyond simply showcasing the prototype itself. It requires careful preparation and a well-structured presentation. I vividly remember a time when my team spent hours perfecting a high-fidelity prototype, only to struggle during the actual presentation due to a lack of clear narrative and context. Since then, I've emphasized the importance of crafting a compelling story around the prototype, highlighting the problem it solves, the user journey, and the key differentiators. Additionally, we practice our presentations, anticipate potential questions, and ensure that everyone on the team is aligned and prepared to address stakeholder concerns.
After presenting your prototype, you need to collect and analyze the feedback from your stakeholders, and use it to improve your solution and inform your next steps. You should document and organize the feedback, and look for patterns, insights, and opportunities. You should also prioritize and evaluate the feedback, and decide what to keep, change, or discard. You should also communicate the feedback and your actions to your stakeholders, and thank them for their participation and input.
Aqui é importante agendar entrevistas com os usuários do protótipo. Nesta pesquisa, usar perguntas abertas para entender motiva??es e frustra??es (problemas que enfrentaram ao usar o protótipo).
Prototyping is not a one-way communication tool; it should be a starting point for a dialogue with stakeholders. After presenting a prototype, it's crucial to actively solicit feedback, listen attentively, and analyze the insights gathered. I recall a situation where a stakeholder's seemingly minor comment about a user flow led us to uncover a significant usability issue that we had overlooked. Since then, I've made it a priority to create a safe and open environment for stakeholders to provide feedback, and to ensure that we have a structured process for capturing, prioritizing, and addressing that feedback in subsequent iterations.
Recueillir les commentaires des parties prenantes passe par le choix des types d’entretien choisis : — Entretien individuel — Groupe de discussion — En ligne ou en physique Mélanger différents types d’entretien vous permet d’avoir des commentaires à la fois quantitatifs et qualitatifs à analyser.
Based on the feedback you received, you should iterate and improve your prototype, and test it again with your stakeholders. You should focus on the most critical and impactful changes, and avoid adding unnecessary complexity or features. You should also measure and track the progress and impact of your prototype, and compare it to your initial goals and criteria. You should repeat this process until you reach a satisfactory level of validation and refinement for your solution.
After receiving feedback, I prioritize the most critical enhancements that align with our goals. This ensures we focus our efforts on impactful changes without introducing unnecessary complexity. By measuring progress against initial criteria, we gauge the effectiveness of each iteration, allowing us to refine the prototype until it meets stakeholders' expectations. This iterative approach not only enhances stakeholder communication but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately leading to a more refined and validated solution.
Remember, it is not a one time process, especially for an ongoing product. You will have to iterate and improve again and again, feature by feature, and communicate with your stakeholders time after time after time and include the points taken from their feedback. The more you repeat this cycle efficiently, the better your wireframes and prototypes become and the lesser iterations it would take to finalize the requirements to develop and release.
Finally, you should share and celebrate your prototype with your stakeholders, and showcase its value and potential. You should highlight the problem you solved, the user needs you met, and the feedback you incorporated. You should also acknowledge the challenges you faced, the lessons you learned, and the contributions you received. You should also invite your stakeholders to support and advocate for your solution, and to provide further feedback and suggestions. You should also celebrate your achievements and efforts, and appreciate the power of prototyping for stakeholder communication.
Prototyping enhances stakeholder communication by visualizing concepts, fostering engagement, and gathering feedback early. Start by defining objectives and audience. Create low-fidelity prototypes to quickly convey ideas. Use interactive prototypes for user engagement. Incorporate feedback iteratively to refine designs. Present prototypes in meetings for collaborative discussions. Ensure prototypes align with stakeholder goals and address concerns effectively.
Too much emphasis on stakeholder management is wrong. It’s about partnership instead. Instead of creating prototypes to communicate, do the following: - Align on goals - Explore opportunities - Evaluate trade-offs - Agree on what success looks like With the above, you can thrive. Without that, you will ensure miscommunication no matter what you do.
Ensuring accessibility for all stakeholders, implementing robust version control systems, and addressing security concerns are paramount. Compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks, scalability to accommodate future growth, and seamless integration with existing systems are vital considerations. Localization for diverse audiences, coupled with plans for ongoing maintenance, support, and comprehensive documentation, enhances usability. Additionally, a focus on sustainability and environmental impact underscores responsible development practices. These considerations collectively contribute to the holistic success of the prototype, fostering inclusivity, security, and long-term viability.
Remember, prototyping is not just about the end product but also about the process and collaboration it fosters among teams and stakeholders. As the PM, welcome feedback and act upon it! A few other things to consider to ensure effective prototyping: - Aligning the prototyping efforts with the broader goals and timelines. - While the focus here is on stakeholder communication, remember the targeted end-users. - Be mindful of resources when prototyping. - Document everything to do with the prototype for future learning; i.e., process, feedback, decision & iterations.
"In my journey through Product Designing, Development, and Management, I’ve discovered prototypes are not just tools but bridges ??. They align stakeholder expectations ?? faster than any slide deck. Prototypes ask the important questions, sparking feedback that shapes our path forward ??. They transform abstract concepts into tangible experiences everyone can rally behind. It’s a dialogue, not a monologue, ensuring our product evolves in a direction that resonates with both users and stakeholders alike. Treating prototypes as conversation starters is a game-changer ??.
Build a great relationship, focus on ensuring you understand their business and communication why behind work in addition to the customer problem it's solving. Prototypes can be a great tool for improving communication, ensure it is not becoming a crutch for hard conversation.