Prototyping

Prototyping is the creation of an early model of a product, system, or process to explore ideas, test assumptions, or evaluate a design before full implementation.

Rapid prototyping: A process for quickly producing physical or digital models to evaluate a design. Short build cycles make it possible to test and revise ideas repeatedly.
Software prototyping: The creation of preliminary software models to clarify requirements or evaluate functionality. Interactive software models test workflows before complete implementation.
Design thinking: A human-centered approach to solving problems through research, idea generation, prototyping, and testing. Its process treats prototyping as one stage in learning about a problem and solution.
Wireframe: A simplified diagram of a digital interface's structure and content arrangement. Wireframes map layout, whereas prototypes can simulate interactive behavior.
Fail fast: A development principle of testing uncertain ideas early so weak approaches can be abandoned cheaply. Early prototype failures can prevent larger investments in flawed designs.
Low-fidelity prototype: A rough model that represents a design's basic structure or interaction without polished detail. Its simplicity keeps attention on core assumptions rather than appearance.
User interface prototyping: The modeling of interface screens and interactions for evaluation before or during development. It makes navigation and interaction choices testable without a finished product.
Requirements engineering: The process of defining, documenting, and managing a system's requirements. Requirements give prototypes concrete claims to investigate.
Pilot experiment: A small-scale preliminary study used to assess the feasibility of a larger experiment. A pilot tests a procedure with participants; a prototype is the design model being evaluated.
Design iteration: A cycle of revising a design in response to evaluation or new information. Prototype feedback gives each revision a concrete basis.

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