Prototype
A prototype is a clickable model of a website or app, made before any code is written. It does not work with real data, but it shows how the product will be used. A flawed flow gets fixed cheaply before development starts.
What is a prototype?
A prototype is a trial model of a product made before code is written. In software and web projects it is usually built in a design tool. Screens are linked, and tapping a button opens the next one. Nothing really works or saves data, but it shows what the user will see and which steps they will take.
Here is an everyday case. You want a work order app for your field technicians. In the prototype, a technician opens a job, adds a photo and gets the customer's signature. You hand it to two technicians. One says they take the photo after the signature. The other cannot press the small buttons wearing gloves. Both are fixed before any code exists. Found after the app was built, they would cost weeks.
Why does it matter?
A prototype moves the "that is not what I meant" moment to the start of the project. A written description creates a different picture in each head. A clickable model shows everyone the same thing. An approved prototype also becomes a concrete part of the definition of done.
Before the prototype comes the wireframe, which shows structure. After it, the next step is usually a small first release for real users, an MVP. See how we split projects into steps on our custom software page.
Frequently asked questions
How is a prototype different from an MVP?
A prototype is a non-working model that shows the flow. An MVP is the smallest working version that real users use. A prototype tests the idea. An MVP tests the market.
Does a prototype make the project longer?
It adds a few days at the start but often shortens the whole project, because flow changes are settled before code is written.
Can I test the prototype with my own team?
Yes, and we recommend it. The prototype opens from a link on a phone or computer. A few minutes with the real users reveals a lot.