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A Complete Guide on Prototype Models in Software Engineering

Knowing how to prototype a model in software engineering is highly essential to stand out as a complete developer for anyone working in this field. Today, prototyping has become a pivotal approach to bridge the gap between user expectations and the final product. Facts like user feedback or their involvement in the iterative development of any project all help to make a perfect prototype model, which solves issues like in-between errors, cost management, user interests, etc.

In this post, we will see a detailed and complete guide on prototype models in software engineering. Exploring many different types of prototype models and the steps for a prototype model in software engineering, along with real-world applications.

What is a Prototype Model?

A Prototype Model in software engineering is a step-by-step development process where a preliminary version of the software, also called a Prototype, is created to understand and refine user requirements and resources before the final product. Hence, it includes building an early model, which is a replica of the final product.

The main aim of the prototype model is to gather feedback from the users and to meet their expectations for the final product. During the process, the interest of users may change, and hence, to satisfy the final product, we must make a prototype model to run necessary tests and changes without changing the core code.

Also Read: Waterfall Model in Software Engineering

Steps for a Prototype Model in Software Engineering

Any organisation or company follows their own specific methods for prototyping its models, based on the type of project and requirements. However, in general, we can follow some specific steps that are necessary for prototyping any model, which are mentioned below.

1. Requirement Analysis and Resource Allocation

Initially, once a project is assigned, all the requirements need to be on hand, along with the resource allocation. So that we can quickly implement the initial design for the first user feedback.

Resources like tools, databases, hardware and software requirements, etc., are taken into account. Conducting interviews and surveys for resource allocation helps to quickly initialise the project.

2. Task Management

Task management is one of the very crucial processes because it involves giving priority to the tasks, and the tasks that need to be done first will have the highest priority. Moreover, all the tasks need to be divided among different teams. For example, developers handle the development part, client interviews and feedback, resource, and data handling team, designing team, etc.

3. Quick Design Implementation

After allocating all the resources and dividing tasks, a quick simpler design is made and tested for some small implications for the initial run. The initial design does not hold all the complex parts of the project but an overall interface.

4. Building the foundation

Here, the prototype model is created with the help of all running functions (not up to the full extent) but with all the designs implicated. It involves coding the basic functionalities, demonstrating key features, and real-time user interactions.

5. User Evaluation

This prototype model in the above step can be used to evaluate and gather feedback from the customer, including deleting or adding any new feature, design changes, colour and animation suggestions, usability tests, etc., forming a complete list of modifications and enhancements to be made.

6. Refinement and fine-tuning

The list of modifications is used to change all the required things suggested by the stakeholders. It also adds new features that increase the efficiency and overall productivity of the software model.

7. Final Implementation

This includes the development of the final software model version which is derived from the prototype model, and all the characteristics, information, and structure are inherited from the prototype model.

8. System Testing and Validation

Running all the final tests on the final version of the software and validating the real data clarifies all the necessary changes. Once the testing is done, the software is ready for release and to be installed on any device for usage by the users.

Also read: Software Development Life Cycle

Types of Prototyping Models

1. Throwaway or Rapid Prototyping: This method involves a quick and simple method to understand all users’ requirements. Non-used suggestions are discarded.
2. Evolutionary Prototyping: This includes building a prototype model and then continuously refining it as the user suggests, which is suitable for projects where requirements are not fixed and can change over the course of time.
3. Incremental Prototyping: Sometimes, developing more than one prototype in a single project helps to get a better idea and comparison view for the stakeholders. Hence, this process involves the formation of multiple small prototypes of different parts of the system and then integration with all the accepted changes to make a final prototype model.
4. Extreme Prototyping: This is generally used in web development projects, where there is a need to develop static HTML pages, coding functional services, and integration of both, along with design changes. This prototyping is rapid and involves frequent updates.

Pros and Cons of Prototyping Model

Advantages of Prototyping Model

There are many advantages of using a prototype model before making the final product, like:

• Improved User Involvement
• Better Requirement Testing
• Better Resource Allocation
• Early Detection of Problems
• Enhanced Flexibility and communication
• Proper Risk Management
• Incremental Development
• Reduced Development Time

Disadvantages of the Prototyping Model

There are some cons of using the prototyping model that can hinder some kinds of projects:

• Potential for Scope Delay
• Increased Cost
• Misunderstanding a prototype as the final product
• Inaccurate or incomplete specifications
• Over-reliance on User Feedback
• Inconsistent Quality
• Developing Temporary Answers Instead of Permanent Solutions to Errors
• Complex Management

Conclusion

In conclusion, prototyping is a dynamic user-centric approach that gains numerous advantages and avoids the final product failure. Creating early versions for incremental growth is very necessary to obtain a final product. Many times, any software does not hold its final version, as many of them require periodic updation with the changing technology and number of users. Overall, the prototype model is a valuable strategy for projects that can benefit from high user involvement and iterative refinement.