Prototyping
Prototyping and its effects on
quality improvement.
By Robert Stein
Information Breakdown
Prototyping Defined
 Prototyping “Brainstorming” Exercise
 Real World Implementation
 Industry Prototyping Examples
 Prototyping Class Exercise
 Summary

Prototyping Defined

An iterative approach to design in which a
series of mock-ups or models are
developed until the customer and the
designer come to agreement as to the final
design. (In some cases, the customer
might not be an external user but upper
management that approves the designs.)
Source: Managing Quality Textbook
Prototyping Defined - Types

Basic Prototypes: nonworking mock-up of
the product that can be reviewed prior to
acceptance.
 Popular
for use in trade shows
 “Concept” design phase
 Sometimes for internal use only (secretive)
 Product release a few years off, or never
Source: Managing Quality Textbook
Prototyping Defined - Types

Paper Prototypes: consist of a series of
drawings developed by the designers prior
to acceptance.
 Usually
developed on CAD
 Are “blueprints” in some cases
 Can be distributed easily
 Cost efficient in early design stages
Source: Managing Quality Textbook
Prototyping Defined - Types

Working Prototypes: Fully working models
of the final product.
 Cost
prohibitive in early stages
 Design cycle must be completed
 Fairly accurate representation of final product
(sometimes)
 Guarded in secrecy
Source: Managing Quality Textbook
Prototyping – Brainstorming Exercise
Can anyone think of a product for which a
prototype would be appropriate? If so,
which type of prototype would you use?
Why?
 Can prototyping be used in the service
industry?

Prototyping – Implementation in Industry
Environments

Prototyping goals should be set in the “Idea
Generation” phase of the Design Life Cycle.
 The
actual prototypes should be produced between
the preliminary design and the final definition stages.
 Reduces cycle time
 Reduces chance of failure costs
 Increases productivity
Source: Managing Quality Textbook
Prototyping – Implementation in Industry
Environments

Prototyping can be implemented easier by
following some of the philosophies of the
fathers of quality improvement.
 Deming:
Create constancy of purpose (Point
# 1), Improve constantly (Point #5), Institute
on the job training (Point #6), Break down
Barriers between departments (Point #9),
Involve everyone (Point #14)
Source: Managing Quality Textbook
Prototyping –Industry Examples

Microsoft TechNet Website
 Graphical
user interface (GUI) prototyping
 Developed 4 nonfunctional websites before
final design was chosen
 Prototypes interact with users to determine
visual and functional preferences
 Generated Good PR for Microsoft
 Generated Additional Traffic
Source: Missouri State University
Prototyping – Industry Examples

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Motorcycle
 Individual
Component / Final Product Prototyping
 Involved many departments and levels within
company (vertically and horizontally integrated)
 Used all three types.
 Clay, Plastic and Metal Prototypes
 Both Nonfunctional and Completely Functional
 Instituted during “Idea Generation” Phase
 Cost Efficient for V-Rod’s purposes
Source: Discovery Birth of a V-Rod Video
Prototyping – Class Exercise

Aircraft Scale Models
 The
board of directors of the aircraft
manufacturer you work for has asked the
engineering department to develop a logistical
model for an aircraft fighter that they plan to
develop.
 Note: The project is in the “Idea Generation”
phase of the product life cycle.
Prototyping – Class Exercise
Form into teams of 4 to 5 engineers and
develop a paper prototype of the “fighter”
your team thinks has the best airframe.
 Goals: Test different models and submit to
the board the prototype you feel stays
afloat the longest.
 Use a single sheet of 8.5 x 14 computer
paper for cost efficiency.

Prototyping - Summary
Improves Overall Product Quality
 Cost Efficient/Effective
 Reduces Design Cycle Time & Failure
Costs
 Devotion Throughout Organization
 Higher Success Rates for Final Product
 Importance Throughout Industry

Prototyping - Bibliography
Foster, Thomas. Managing Quality: An
Integrative Approach. 2001.
 Sauter, Vicki. Prototyping Examples.
University of Missouri-Saint Louis. 2000.

(http://www.umsl.edu/~sauter/analysis/prototyping/microsoft/vote.html)

Discovery Videos. Birth of the V-Rod.
2001.