Prototype Model

Introduction to Prototype Model

The prototyping model is a method of system development in which a prototype is created, tested, and then reconstructed as necessary until an appropriate result is attained by which to develop the complete system or product. Then, based on the requirements, the design is created, and the prototype for a particular design is modeled and delivered to the users; then, based on the feedback from the user, the appropriate changes have been done.

Phases of the Prototyping Model

The different phases are as follow:

1. Communication: This is the phase where the developer and Client set up the meeting and talk about the software’s objectives that need to be achieved.
2. Design: The design has been done quickly as the requirements are cleared from both ends in providing and receiving end. It is used to construct the prototype. It includes the important aspects of the software that are input and output but mainly focused on visible aspects rather than planned activities.
3. Modeling: It provides a better idea of the software’s requirement and a better understanding of the software product.
4. Deployment: Before deployment, the client evaluates the software, and if the client is not satisfied, then it is refined according to the client’s requirements. This process goes on until the point client requirements do not accomplish. After the client’s satisfaction with the product, the product finally deploys to the production environment. It is thoroughly evaluated and tested, and maintenance is done on a regular basis.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Prototype Model

Below are the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

There are several advantages:

• This model has increased the involvement of the user and developer in creating the product to be on the same page.
• The user is able to understand what is done and what is left according to the requirement at implementation time. This helps in changing the requirement at an early stage if required.
• The defects or bugs can be detected at an early stage.
• It helps in reducing cost and time.
• It helps in providing feedback from the user and changes things accordingly.
• In this model, it is easy to identify the missing, confusing, and difficult functionalities.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages are as follow:

• Sometimes it is difficult for the user to find the difference between the actual product or system and prototype.
• The prototype model does not work where insufficient requirements are mentioned.
• It increases the complexity of the system and its deadlines.
• It is not feasible to use the existing prototype to develop the new system.
• Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to build the prototype of the system.
• It is also referred to as a slow process as it takes a lot of time to develop the prototype.
• Sometimes a lot of changes confuse the client and show no interest in it. It also hampers the productivity of the development team.
• It can be thrown away if the users are not satisfied with it.

When to Use Prototype Model?

It should be used when a lot of interaction is required of the end-user with final systems like online systems, web applications, or interfaces. These are having the highest amount of traffic from the users to continuously checking and using. It does require trained people to develop the system. It also requires client availability all the time for the inputs, feedback, and signs off for the different prototypes built.

How does the Prototype Model Work?

The prototype model mainly works at the high end in the below format:

• Objectives determination.
• Develop the code.
• Communication and refine.
• Demonstrate.
• Test.
• Implement.

The developers mainly take prototype model work in the below way:

• Define their goal to achieve the software and take the requirements from the client.
• They generally take 2 or 3 features to start with, and later on, they also refined the version as well.
• Creation of designs.
• Discussions with panels and team members, stakeholders, users, researchers.
• Documentation completed and design finalized after doing the changes discussed with all the members.
• Design the prototype.
• Consult the people and approach the appropriate entities.
• Add another feature if everything and output as per the agreement between developers and client.
• Improvements have done after communication with the client.
• Implementation and deployment of the feature for the client.

Why do we Use the Prototype Model?

The prototype model is used because of its advantages. It gives a clear picture of software that is being developed and not to the client earlier and before the implementation stage as well. It helps in saving the later part of issues that might occur. It helps in the communication of client and developer to make the product as per requirement and easier to understand them as well for the developers from the viewpoint of the customer. The prototype model provides different types of models as well.

Please find the below available prototyping:

• Rapid Prototyping.
• Evolutionary Prototyping.
• Incremental Prototyping.
• Extreme Prototyping.

Examples

There are many systems that have been developed with the prototype model, and it achieved success as well for both developers and clients. The dynamic system development method, evolutionary system method, and rapid method are being developed. There are some tools; screen generators are developed with the prototype model.

Conclusion

The prototype model is the methodology of a working prototype or doing the work that comes first to the developer and creates the sample of it. The system that needs processing of data on a large scale and functionality with fewer interfaces does not get benefit from prototyping. It can be extra work for the developer to do.

The prototype model is becoming a very popular software development method to understand the requirement of the client at an early stage. This model is good for the systems which do require to go through the various screens to process the data and give the exact look of the final system.

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