Effective Prototyping for Software Makers

Much as we hate to admit it, most prototyping practice lacks a sophisticated understanding of the broad concepts of prototyping-and its strategic position within the development process. Often we overwhelm with a high fidelity prototype that designs us into a corner. Or, we can underwhelm with a prototype with too much ambiguity and flexibility to be of much use in the software development process.

This book will help software makers-developers, designers, and architects-build effective prototypes every time: prototypes that convey enough information about the product at the appropriate time and thus set expectations appropriately.

This practical, informative book will help anyone-whether or not one has artistic talent, access to special tools, or programming ability-to use good prototyping style, methods, and tools to build prototypes and manage for effective prototyping.

Features

• A prototyping process with guidelines, templates, and worksheets;
• Overviews and step-by-step guides for 9 common prototyping techniques;
• An introduction with step-by-step guidelines to a variety of prototyping tools that do not require advanced artistic skills;
• Templates and other resources used in the book available on the Web for reuse;
• Clearly-explained concepts and guidelines;
• Full-color illustrations, and examples from a wide variety of prototyping processes, methods, and tools.