Prototyping

The convention of Objects over Systems keeps playing through the narrative of the conventional Design Thinking Methodology promoted by vested interests. And so is the problem with this step that follows Ideation.

Prototypes can never provide the feel for a system. It is only suitable for showing a sliver of how a Product / Service can look or feel. They have their utility in the course of Design and not Design Thinking.

There are three Proofs that a Stage Gated Design Thinking Process must complete in one cycle:

Proof of Concept: This must be Visualized through the Process of Education, Ownership & Commitment and is a MUST when it is a Mind 2 Market driven Innovation. Alpha Customers or those that are Innovation Enthusiasts must be brought on board and their Approval should be an essential one to pass the stage gate of Conceptualization.

Proof of Success: Normally understood as Prototype must be employed at the stage of Engineering, converting the Alpha to Beta Customers. Immersing and Involving them in the process of Engineering Solutions as Engines, Components and Connectors. This should include the Customer, Industry and Life Ecosystems.

Proof Of Realization: This is when the Applications and Products that are Commercialized equate between the Values Envisaged at the Conceptualization are realized in transactional values as Quality, Cost, Delivery, Service & Flexibility.

The concept and approach to Prototyping must therefore change and so must the way in which Value is Perceived and Performed.

The Design Thinking Workshops and Courses that teach Prototyping do not apply the rigor of both Visualization and Actualization of Design Principles; merely scratching the surface of the formality to Validate the ideas. Whether it is clinical trials in the healthcare or automotive trials in mobility, a prototype today must not only appeal to a global audience but also address the sustainability of such a creation.

With Digital Technologies and the Creation of Glocal (Globally Local) Ecosystems, Prototyping itself must be understood at a whole new level. Moving away from the enormous wastage of Money and Resources that are invested today and unfortunately those passed down for no fault of theirs to unsuspecting Customers and Consumers.

In the next and final post of this series, we will see how Testing is a Concurrent and not sequential process as the conventional design thinking methodology suggests. If you haven't caught up with the previous posts in this series, the following are the links you can follow:

Design Thinking A New Era ?? https://bit.ly/3W6H3Mk

Empathy ?? https://bit.ly/3QusKQx

Definition ?? https://bit.ly/3GOTKXB

Ideation ?? https://bit.ly/3X5fFzB

Please share your perspectives and comments.

Mahesh Panchagnula?Gopalkrishna Joshi?Ryan Kimel?Alastair Curtis?Prabhu Rajagopal?Mahesh Panchagnula?Alice K. Steenland?Aviram Vijh?Lalitha Ravindran?Chris Hogan?Neil Grunberg?Jeff Lundberg?Dave Bennett?Abhigyan Chattopadhyay?Bonnie Richley, MSODA, PhD?Aileen Tan?Manav Garg?Pratik Pal?Noel Anderson?Paulina Szegda?Douglas Sabo?Nompilo Morafo?Naveen Manga?Geeta Kulkarni?Yuri Cataldo?Jeyachandran Kasimani?Siddharth Patel?Ravi Teja Bommireddipalli