In terms of software development models, software prototype has become popular. As it helps in knowing customer requirements for the system at a very early stage. It allows software designers and developers to understand what is the expectation from the product under development.
What is a Prototype Model?
A prototype model is a first or preliminary version of the final software. On comparing it to actual software, a prototype becomes a basic model of the final system. A prototype has restricted functional capabilities, low reliability, and inefficient performance. This model helps the best when we do not have defined project requirements.
Prototype definition:
The Prototyping Model is a Systems Development Methodology (SDM) that involves building, testing, and reworking a model output. It is one of the most popular Software Development Life Cycle Models (SDLC models).
The prototype serves as a platform for conducting various tests and making improvements. The process continues until a product without error is met that can be developed as a final product. The model allows users to check the developer’s concepts and test them before implementation. It serves the purpose of trial and error.
In addition to market research and user feedback, prototyping helps with market research. Along with the feedback, software developers can make changes to the prototype once the client requirements are ready.
There are two dimensions for a prototype model, vertical and horizontal. A horizontal type shows the user interface for the product and gives a broader view of the entire system. It does not focus on internal functions. In contrast, a vertical type shows the internal functions. Also, the vertical prototype is a detailed representation of a specific product function or subsystem.
Each dimension serves a different purpose. Horizontal prototypes help you get information about the user interface and the system requirements. On the other hand, vertical prototypes help more technically to know the functions of the system.
Various phases of Prototyping
The Software Development Life Cycle of any prototype includes certain phases. Let’s have a look at them:
Information gathering
Developers do research for various details that a user may require in the system. Users are interviewed during this process to learn what they want from the system. We use the feedback we receive to improve the product we’re working on.
Designing
Next comes a basic design of the system after we know the requirements. It only covers the essentials, such as the software’s input and output formats. Rather than the complete plan, it focuses on the aspects that are visible to the user.
Developing, testing, and user feedback
A basic prototype is develop after the design phase. The prototype displays the most basic requirements and user interfaces. There are good chances that these features are not the same in the final product.
The prototype is send for evaluation to clients. Users’ feedback plays an important role. This helps us to know the suggestions and improvements they need in the final product.
Corrections
This phase is a kind of repetitive process until a final product is achieved. This phase comes to an end when a prototype is create which has all the user-defined requirements. To make the model better and to meet user requirements, we must keep iterating based on the feedback.
Final product development
Based on the improved prototype final system is made. Routine maintenance is performed on the system to minimize downtime and prevent large-scale failures.
Prototyping Models
There are several types of prototype models. The list is as below:
Rapid Throwaway Model
The Rapid Throwaway Model depends on basic requirements. It is created to see how the suggestions will visually look eventually. The customer’s feedback changes the requirement, and the prototype is rebuilt until the conditions are met.
Evolutionary Model
Breadboard prototyping is another name for evolutionary prototyping. In this model, functionalities come into the picture. The prototype has limited functionalities. The developed prototype serves as the foundation for future prototypes, built on top of the entire system. Using evolutionary Prototyping new requirements are added as and when they are received.
Prototyping based on evolutionary models is helpful in situations where new technologies are in use. Also, it is helpful for complex systems where all functionalities need to be verified.
Incremental Model
In Incremental Prototyping, the model developed is divided into smaller prototypes. These prototypes are further developed individually. Features are added to each prototype until the final product is achieved. Later, various prototypes are eventually combined into a single product. This method helps in reducing the amount of time it takes for the user to provide feedback to the application development team. There can be challenges in putting those sub prototypes together. Hence, we need to be careful while placing them together.
Extreme Model
The method of extreme Prototyping is commonly used in web development. It is divided into three stages.
- Basic prototype all pages are present in the HTML format.
- Using a prototype services layer, you can start a data process.
- The services are incorporated and integrated into the final prototypes.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Prototyping Model
| Advantages of Prototyping | Disadvantages of Prototyping |
|
|
Conclusion
One can create a working “prototype” or an early sample of what’s to come using the prototyping method. Prototyping helps for developing user interfaces, high technology software, and systems with complex algorithms and interfaces. Latest trends like Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Scrum, etc., help develop softwares better!