Draft Prototypes. Steps in This Activity. HOW TO Step 1. Select a Prototyping Method. Select a Prototyping Method

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1 The process of ideating, creating and testing materials is called prototyping. Prototypes are early drafts, samples or models of the pieces of your solutions. They allow potential users to experience and react to the full range of your solution(s) and its features. Steps in This Activity Step 1. Select a Prototyping Method Step 2. Draft Prototypes Expected Time: hours Expected Results: By the end of this activity, you ll have drafted prototypes so you can get feedback from staff and clients and refine your solutions. HOW TO Step 1. Select a Prototyping Method Select a Prototyping Method For each solution, choose the prototyping method that you think will work best to present that solution: Concept board: A flier that describes a program, service or product simply and succinctly. They usually look like unrefined advertisements. Role play: A skit or demonstration that highlights important steps or interactions. Storyboard: A series of images that convey a client s journey and experience with your envisioned solution. Models or mockups: Physical representations of the solution that represents potential features. Examples could include s or forms your program might want to use. Wireframe: A very basic interactive app or website that demonstrates a simplified version of your solution. Helpful Hint: Prototypes Prototypes allow service or product designers to modify or revise the components of their service or product before finalizing. They don t have to be fully functional and they don t need to look like the final product. They only need to be developed enough to get feedback from potential users. That feedback will help you make decisions about what to include in your solutions. 1

2 Solution Prototyping Method Example: AIM Consolidated Credit Counseling Services (AIM CCCS) Solution Prototyping Method 1. Online back-up plan creator 1a. Concept board 1b. Storyboard 1b. Wireframe 2. Debt management map (DMP) roadmap 2a. Mockup 3. Updated client services webpages 3. Wireframe Helpful Hint: Prototyping in a Group If you are working with a group, have each individual or pair choose one solution or solution component to prototype. Spend about minutes developing your initial prototype before presenting to the group. 2

3 Step 2. Draft Prototypes Once you have identified the prototyping methods it is time to create your prototypes. Try to keep them as simple as possible. Concept Board Concept boards are useful in the design process as they can be presented to clients, staff or other stakeholders to gauge reactions and solicit feedback on your proposed solutions. AIM created a simple concept board to share a description of one of the proposed solutions. Back-up Planner Prepare for emergencies before they happen! An online survey-based tool that can help people create a plan before they experience an unexpected event or financial emergency. It will include the following: A way to save money for emergencies A directory of community resources, such as emergency shelters, utility assistance, etc. A list of people you can ask for help Online and paper options to make it easier to consult with counselors Guidance from counselors on your plan Role Play One prototyping approach that can be helpful in quickly testing out a new service is role playing. The goal is to present a process or service so that it can prompt feedback. Let s say you want to test out a new set of intake questions. Ask a staff member to play the role of an imaginary client and respond to the questions as realistically as possible. Documenting how your imaginary client responds to the new intake questions may help you refine your solutions. 3

4 Storyboard Because the back-up planner idea was complicated, AIM needed to create a few different prototypes. They showed people a storyboard of how clients would encounter the back-up planning tool. Model AIM also wanted to show people a model of what the introductory page of the back-up planning tool might look like. AIM CCCS 4

5 Wireframe AIM also developed a wireframe of how clients would interact with the online back-up planning tool. AIM staff used a simple online survey program to guide potential clients through the back-up planning process. 5

6 ACTIVITY SUMMARY In this activity, you should have done the following before moving on: Developed one or more prototypes 6