Effective Prototyping for Software Makers

There are many steps in the development of successful software projects, but one major key is prototyping: rapid, effective methods for testing and refining designs. Effective prototyping an be remarkably simple, yet provide powerful results without delaying the project. Indeed, effective prototyping is often the key to faster development. Up to now, there has been no single source for how it is done. But here, in this comprehensive book, Jonathan Arnowitz, Michael Arent, and Nevin Berger explain all in this essential guide to software prototyping. Everything you ever wanted to know, but had no idea who to ask. --Don Norman, Nielsen Norman Group & Northwestern University, Author of "Emotional Design This is an ideal text for professional software engineers and designers who are new to prototyping as well as students in engineering, design, and human factors. The concepts and techniques presented in this volume should be considered part of the foundational knowledge for anyone in the software development field. I recommend this book to any software company that wants to improve their capability to build great products. -- Jim Faris, The Management Innovation Group LLC Much as we hate to admit it, most prototyping practice lacks a sophisticated understanding of the broad concepts of prototyping—and its strategic position within the development process. Often we overwhelm with a high fidelity prototype that designs us into a corner. Or, we can underwhelm with a prototype with too much ambiguity and flexibility to be of much use in the software development process. This book will help software makers—developers, designers, and architects—build effective prototypes every time: prototypes that convey enough information about the product at the appropriate time and thus set expectations appropriately. This practical, informative book will help anyone—whether or not one has artistic talent, access to special tools, or programming ability—to use good prototyping style, methods, and tools to build prototypes and manage for effective prototyping. Features • A prototyping process with guidelines, templates, and worksheets; • Overviews and step-by-step guides for 9 common prototyping techniques; • An introduction with step-by-step guidelines to a variety of prototyping tools that do not require advanced artistic skills; • Templates and other resources used in the book available on the Web for reuse; • Clearly-explained concepts and guidelines; • Full-color illustrations, and examples from a wide variety of prototyping processes, methods, and tools. "Effective Prototyping for Software Makers is the first book in our field that covers the breadth and depth of prototyping methods. Other books and articles focus on a particular prototyping method, but in this book you learn about wireframes, card sorting, storyboard prototyping, Wizard of Oz prototypes, and more! Renown HCI experts Arnowitz, Arent, and Berger have written a comprehensive book that is filled with practical knowledge, passion for prototyping, savvy insights, and clear examples. Effective Prototyping for Software Makers is the sine qua non resource for prototyping and should be required reading for students, HCI practitioners, software developers, and product managers. This book is, quite simply, the best resource on prototyping that you can buy." . Chauncey Wilson Usability Manager The Mathworks, Inc. "There are many steps in the development of successful software projects, but one major key is prototyping: rapid, effective methods for testing and refining designs. Effective prototyping an be remarkably simple, yet provide powerful results without delaying the project. Indeed, effective prototyping is often the key to faster development. Up to now, there has been no single source for how it is done. But here, in this comprehensive book, Jonathan Arnowitz, Michael Arent, and Nevin Berger explain all in this essential guide to software prototyping. Everything you ever wanted to know, but had no idea who to ask." --Don Norman, Nielsen Norman Group & Northwestern University, Author of "Emotional Design "Anyone involved in design and development of software products, whether for desktop computers, the web, handheld devices, or any other platform, will want to read Effective Prototyping for Software Makers. This book provides a persuasive business case for prototyping as a way to reduce risk and increase the likelihood of customer adoption and loyalty. It shows how prototypes not only improve product quality, but also support collaborative work, help build product strategy, and create a shared sense of purpose among development team members. The book presents a comprehensive survey of tools and techniques and provides practical, detailed explanations, with illustrations, of how to plan and build prototypes. The authors draw on their deep professional experience to recommend appropriate prototyping techniques for various stages of product development. This important advice will undoubtedly save many readers from choosing the wrong method at the wrong time. Whether you are the manager of a development team or a developer or designer working on a user interface product, this book will expand your appreciation of prototyping and give you countless ways of doing your work better. Whether you read it cover-to-cover or just dip in for some just-in-time assistance, this book gives you a practical and theoretical foundation for making your own effective prototypes. This is an ideal text for professional software engineers and designers who are new to prototyping as well as students in engineering, design, and human factors. The concepts and techniques presented in this volume should be considered part of the foundational knowledge for anyone in the software development field. I recommend this book to any software company that wants to improve their capability to build great products."-- Jim Faris, The Management Innovation Group LLC