Prototyping
Prototyping tests system concepts and
provides an opportunity to examine input,
output, and user interfaces before final decisions are made. A prototype is an early
working version of an information system.
Just as an aircraft manufacturer tests a new
design in a wind tunnel, systems analysts
construct and study information system prototypes. A prototype can serve as an initial
model that is used as a benchmark to evaluate the finished system, or the prototype
itself can develop into the final version of the system. Either way, prototyping speeds up
the development process significantly.
A possible disadvantage of prototyping is that important decisions might be made too
early, before business or IT issues are understood thoroughly. A prototype based on careful fact-finding and modeling techniques, however, can be an extremely valuable tool.