Prototype testing: how to do it right

It’s time! Your prototype is ready. You’ve turned all your ideas into a tangible model. Now it’s time to take the next step, testing your prototype.

Once your prototype is ready, your product isn’t ready yet for the market. There are still a few important things that need to happen first. For example, testing your prototype to see if it meets the defined requirements and user expectations. In this blog we’ll tell you how to do that.

• Why test a prototype?
• What are the methods for testing a prototype?
• Solving showstoppers

Testing a prototype takes a lot of time. To speed up this process, it’s wise to involve a product developer such as Beeliners.

Why test a prototype?

You test a prototype to identify and fix errors before moving on to the final production phase. In addition, testing a prototype leads to:

• Improved product quality: By detecting and resolving errors early on, you enhance the overall quality of the product.
• Increased customer satisfaction: Tested prototypes better meet customer needs, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.
• Reduced costs: You identify issues early on and address them immediately. This leads to fewer customer service or warranty claims and saves money.

It’s important to take the time to test your prototypes. This is an essential part of product realization.

What are the methods for testing a prototype?

Depending on the type of prototype and the objective of the test, there are several methods to test your prototype and gather feedback:

1. User testing: Let potential users test the prototype and observe their behavior and comments. Ask them for feedback on usability, functionality, and other aspects of the prototype. For example, can they use the main features without any explanation? Where do they get stuck?
2. Online surveys: Create an online survey with questions about the prototype and send it to potential users. This can be a great way to gather feedback from a broader audience. Include both multiple-choice and open-ended questions to gain quantitative as well as qualitative insights.
3. Focus groups: Organize a focus group with people who represent your target audience. Ask them to share their opinions about the prototype and use their feedback to make improvements. During these focus groups, discuss specific aspects such as design, features, or user experience.
4. Interviews: Conduct interviews with individuals who have used the prototype. Ask them to share their thoughts and feedback. Interviews give you the opportunity to dive deeper into specific experiences, motivations, and frustrations.
5. Analytics: Use analytical tools to track how the prototype is being used. This can provide valuable insights into user behavior and potential problem areas. For example, measure how much time users spend on certain features or where they tend to drop off.
6. Compatability testing: Evaluate whether the product is compatible with other products or systems. For instance, check if the software works across different operating systems and devices.
7. Safety testing: Test whether your prototype is safe to use and identify and fix potential hazards. For physical products, check for sharp edges or loose parts, and for digital products, test security and privacy measures.

It’s important to collect feedback in a structured and methodical way in order to gain useful insights that help improve the prototype.

Creating a test plan

Before you start testing your prototype, it’s wise to create a test plan. In this plan, you define the test objectives, the scope, the target audience, and the method you’ll use. Next, you can specify the tasks to be tested, the required timeline, and the criteria the prototype must meet. Finally, outline the test procedure, including the questions to be asked and the way you’ll collect and process feedback.

Solving showstoppers

During the prototyping phase of your product, Beeliners focuses on solving the showstoppers. These are the issues that have a major impact on the product’s functionality. We identify these by testing your prototype and collecting feedback on its use. We then adjust your prototype and test it again. This process is repeated until we arrive at a final prototype that is both user-friendly and appealing to (future) users.

Prototype testing and development with a partner

Testing and further developing a prototype often takes a lot of time and can quickly become quite complex. Working with a partner can significantly strengthen this process. By combining different perspectives and expertise, you can identify improvements more quickly and ultimately achieve a high-quality final product.

When partnering with Beeliners, we support you throughout the entire process. We think along with you and work together to turn your product into reality.