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Different types and methods of prototyping

Throwaway prototyping

What is it? – Throwaway or Rapid Prototyping refers to the creation of a model that will eventually be discarded rather than becoming part of the finally delivered software. After preliminary requirements gathering is accomplished, a simple working model of the system is constructed to visually show the users what their requirements may look like when they are implemented into a finished system.

Advantages of throwaway prototyping

- it can be done quickly. If the users can get quick feedback on their requirements, they may be able to refine them early in the development of the software. Making changes early in the development lifecycle is extremely cost effective since there is nothing at that point to redo.

- the ability to construct interfaces that the users can test. The user interface is what the user sees as the system, and by seeing it in front of them, it is much easier to grasp how the system will work.

Evolutionary prototyping

What is it? – Evolutionary Prototyping (also known as breadboard prototyping) is quite different from Throwaway Prototyping. The main goal when using Evolutionary Prototyping is to build a very robust prototype in a structured manner and constantly refine it.

Advantages of Evolutionary prototyping

- it has an advantage over throwaway prototyping because they are functional systems. Although not fully functional, they have the all the basic features and function till the final system is delivered.

Incremental prototyping

What is it? – The final product is built as separate prototypes. At the end the separate prototypes are being merged in an overall design.

source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_prototyping#Types_of_prototyping