Prototyping in industrial software projects-bridging the gap between theory and practice

One purpose of prototyping may be to evolve the prototype into a final product based on user feedback and priorities.

“One purpose of prototyping may be to evolve the prototype into a final product based on user feedback and priorities (Budde and Zullighoven 1990;Lichter et al. 1994;Schneider 1996;Toffolon and Dakhli 2008).”

Breadboard prototypes are used to investigate technical aspects and to support system specification and coding.

“Similarly, breadboard prototypes are used to investigate technical aspects, e.g. in circuit design, and to support system specification and coding (Budde and Zullighoven 1990;Ciriello et al. 2017;Lichter et al. 1994;Lim et al. 2008).”

A prototype built to demonstrate feasibility can also support project acquisition.

“Furthermore, Lichter et al. found that a prototype built to demonstrate feasibility can also support project acquisition (Lichter et al. 1994).”

A prototype may convey an overly positive impression of the current status that can lead to unrealistic customer expectations and subsequent requests to evolve the prototype into the final system.

“However, a prototype may convey an overly positive impression of the current status that can lead to unrealistic customer expectations and subsequent requests to evolve the prototype into the final system (Lichter et al. 1994).”

The usage environment for a prototype can affect the outcome both in the possible feedback and the representation of subjects in the review.

“The usage environment for a prototype can affect the outcome (Grevet and Gilbert 2015;Lichter et al. 1994;Tronvoll et al. 2017) both in the possible feedback and the representation of subjects in the review.”

Using a prototype in conditions similar to that of the final product increases the chance of uncovering new setting-specific requirements.

“Using a prototype in conditions similar to that of the final product increases the chance of uncovering new setting-specific requirements (Lichter et al. 1994).”

Previous research describes the impact of the physical environment.

“Previous research describes the impact of the physical environment (Lichter et al. 1994).”

There is a risk that prototypes can convey an inaccurate perception of development status and create unrealistic expectations.

“However, there is also a risk that prototypes can convey an inaccurate perception of development status and create unrealistic expectations (Lichter et al. 1994).”