Are you planning to develop a new app for your customers? Maybe you need a new software solution? Or perhaps you’re still looking at your options? Prototyping can help you get to market faster, streamlining the development process and making it more cost-effective.
You’ve probably heard the saying “A picture speaks a thousand words.” And this captures exactly what prototyping is all about.
If you use prototyping, you’ll have a simulation of the most vital aspects of your end product. This is often interactive, so you can play around and see how your end users would experience the product before it’s fully functional.
Here are just a few ways prototyping can help you get to market faster:
Better communication
For a project to be successful, it requires open and honest dialogue between the client and the software development firm. When you use prototyping, you don’t need to read (and risk misinterpreting) project specifications and descriptions. Instead, you can clearly communicate your wants and needs based on a visual mock-up.
Miscommunications can cost time and money. They can also cause frustration for both the client and the developer. We all know how difficult it can be to communicate via email. But when you have an actual prototype in hand, the purpose and intent of your project is effectively and clearly communicated.
Prototyping allows you to show stakeholders, venture capitalists, and marketing teams an interactive model, so everyone is on the same wavelength.
Increased innovation
Businesses today need to be at their best as they launch new applications and software for customers or employees. Innovation is increasingly becoming a focal point for businesses looking to scale by providing cutting-edge solutions and increasing market share.
Since it costs money to be innovative, many businesses end up going along with the status quo. But prototyping allows you to quickly see if those big ideas will work- while reducing your risk. Prototyping also allows you to eliminate unnecessary or redundant features at the early stages of development. This ensures an innovative, elegant, user-friendly end product.
Cost-Effectiveness
The longer it takes to develop your product, the more it will typically cost. Prototyping removes the constant back-and-forth. With each iteration, the design is improved further. This means that you won’t need to make costly, last-minute design changes during the development process.
Fewer Bugs
No one wants to deal with design problems or buggy software. Prototyping allows software developers to unveil design flaws, and fix them early in the development process. Any problems are uncovered during the initial prototypes, so you can get to market more quickly.
As the design improves further with each prototype, you’ll feel more and more confident as you see your project come to life. Fewer flaws lead to an improved end product, which increases your chances of a successful outcome.
Instant Changes
When you use prototyping, developers can take your feedback and incorporate changes instantly. This is beneficial for a number of reasons. First, it’s not uncommon to find that a particular feature or design you loved just doesn’t work. If you see this in an early prototype, you can immediately use a new idea or go in a different direction.
These instant changes also allow you to move quickly through the process, while still ensuring the best possible outcome. Often after you suggest a change, you’ll receive a new prototype within a day or two. Each prototype is tested, and all key components are then used to create your final product.
If you’re looking for a development process that allows you to be creative, innovative, and hands-on, prototyping is for you. You’ll receive a user-friendly end product that will “wow” your stakeholders, customers, and teams.
Before you begin, find a software development company that’s familiar with prototyping. They’ll have the experience to help you get the most out of this process, saving you time and money.
Prototyping is a key part of our development process. If you’re looking for a software development company that will help you get to market faster, get in touch today.
