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Prototype your solution

The activity of prototyping is invaluable, providing a tangible representation of abstract ideas and serving as a dynamic tool for testing and refining concepts. Prototypes accelerate the iteration cycle, allowing stakeholders to interact with a representative model and uncover potential flaws or improvements early in the design process.

Tips to complete activity

• Define Your Purpose and Scope
  Clearly define the purpose of your prototype and its intended scope. Are you testing a specific user interaction, exploring the overall user flow, or evaluating visual design elements? Understanding your goals will guide the choice of the most appropriate prototype method.
• Consider Fidelity Levels
  ‍Evaluate the level of fidelity needed for your prototype. Low-fidelity prototypes, such as paper sketches or wireframes, are ideal for early ideation and concept testing. High-fidelity prototypes, created with design tools or code, are better suited for testing detailed interactions and visual aesthetics.
• Understand Your Audience
  ‍Consider who will be interacting with the prototype. Stakeholders, developers, and end-users may have different needs and preferences. Tailor the prototype method to effectively communicate and gather feedback from the specific audience.
• Iterate Based on Feedback
  Plan for an iterative approach. After gathering feedback from initial prototypes, be prepared to refine and iterate. This ensures that your prototype evolves in response to insights gained during testing.

Common Prototyping Methods

• Paper Prototyping
  For early ideation and quick concept testing, consider paper prototyping. Sketch key screens and interactions on paper, allowing for rapid iterations and easy modifications during collaborative sessions.
• Wireframing
  ‍Use wireframes to create low-fidelity representations of your design. Tools like Balsamiq or Sketch are suitable for wireframing, providing a balance between simplicity and clarity for testing user flows and layouts.
• Interactive Mockups
  Design interactive mockups using tools like Adobe XD, Figma, or InVision. This methodis effective for testing user interactions and navigation within a more polished representation of the final product.
• Clickable Prototypes
  ‍Develop clickable prototypes using prototyping tools like Marvel. This method allows for more sophisticated interactions and a closer simulation of the final user experience, suitable for advanced usability testing.

Further reading

• 🔗Simple prototyping solutions
  ‍Slide deck showing simple prototyping methods

Gather user feedback

The activity of gathering user feedback serves to check to what extent a solution meets the needs of the target audience. This stage ensures that the resulting design addresses real user challenges, enhances usability, and aligns with the intended audience's expectations, ultimately leading to more successful and user-friendly products or experiences.

Activity worksheet

Gather user feedback

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Tips to complete activity

If you have developed a prototype you’ll now want to test its usability. Here are the top 6 tips for effective usability testing:

• Define Clear Objectives
  Clearly outline the goals and objectives of your usability testing. Determine specific aspects of the product or design you want to evaluate, ensuring a focused and purposeful testing process.
• Recruit Representative Participants
  Select participants who accurately represent your target user demographic. Diversity in participant backgrounds and familiarity with your product ensures a more comprehensive understanding of usability across user segments.
• Encourage Thinking Aloud
  Instruct participants to verbalise their thoughts and feelings as they navigate through tasks. This "think-aloud" approach provides valuable insights into users' decision-making processes, enhancing your understanding of their expectations and challenges.
• Collect both Qualitative and Quantitative Data
  Combine qualitative insights with quantitative metrics such as completion rates, task success, and time spent. This dual approach ensures a well-rounded assessment of usability, enabling a deeper understanding of user interactions.
• Iterate and Refine
  Use findings from usability testing to iteratively refine your design. Identify patterns of user behaviour, pain points, and areas for improvement. Prioritise changes based on their potential impact on enhancing the overall user experience.
• Record and Analyse Sessions
  ‍Record usability testing sessions for later review and analysis. This enables a thorough examination of participant interactions, identification of patterns, and the ability to share key findings with stakeholders who may not have participated in live sessions.

Further reading

• 🔗Conducting user research‍
  Government guidance on how to approach user research when designing services.
• 🔗A guide to moderated usability testing
  Government guidance in how to approach usability testing.
• 🔗A guide to usability testing
  Step by step explainer by the Nielsen group.