According to research, the global prototyping industry is worth about $14 billion and is expected to hit a monumental $45 billion by 2030.

Now, the industry might be thriving, but the new product development process is not as easy as most people seem to think. There are a number of prototyping mistakes people make that ultimately lead to the failure of a project.

So, to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the five most common prototyping mistakes.

1. Not Defining the Purpose of the Prototype

A prototype is not just a “rough draft” of your product, it serves a specific purpose.

Whether you’re using it to test user interaction or gather feedback from stakeholders, you need to understand why you’re creating the prototype in the first place. Without a purpose, it’s easy to get lost in the details and create something entirely different.

2. Skipping the Planning Stage

This is a mistake for two reasons. First, if you don’t plan your prototype properly, it’s likely that you won’t achieve your desired results. Second, without a plan, it’s easy to get sidetracked and end up with a prototype that’s different from what you originally intended.

When planning your prototype, it’s essential to start by defining your goals and objectives. Once you understand what you want to achieve, you can start to map out the user flow and determine which features need to be in the prototype.

3. Using the Wrong Prototyping Method

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to prototyping methods. Different types of prototypes require different prototyping methods, and what you choose should be based on your project’s specific goals and objectives.

For example, if you’re looking to test user interaction with a product, an interactive prototype would be more suitable than a paper prototype.

If you’re looking to test the feasibility of a design, a low-fidelity prototype would be more appropriate than a high-fidelity one. Rapid prototyping and tooling is a great way to explore different design options efficiently.

Check more information about rapid tooling here https://www.rapidpsi.com/rapid-tooling/ to understand how it could expedite your manufacturing process.

4. Not Getting Feedback

The whole point of a prototype is to test your product with real users and gather feedback. Without user feedback, it’s impossible to know if your product is on the right track.

There are several ways to get feedback from users, but one of the most effective methods is usability testing. This involves giving users tasks to complete using your prototype and observing their behavior.

You could also conduct interviews with potential users to get an opportunity to learn more about their needs and how they would use your product.

Finally, surveys are a great way to get feedback from a large number of people without having to conduct individual interviews.

5. Not Iterating

A prototype is never perfect the first time around, as there are always going to be prototype stages that need improvement. The key is to identify those areas and then make the necessary changes.

If you don’t iterate, you’re essentially wasting your time. Go through your prototype multiple times, making changes and improvements each time. Doing so will help ensure that your final product is as good as it can be.

A Guide to Prototyping Mistakes

Prototyping is an essential part of the design process, but it’s not always easy. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create better prototypes that represent your final product.

If you find this small guide informative, head over to our blog for more.

Jane