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Vertical Prototyping
What is it?
Vertical prototypes demonstrate the exact functionality of a product but
for only a small section of the entire product. For example, a vertical
prototype of a word processor might demonstrate all of the spell-checking
functions, but none of the formatting or text-entry functions. All of the
functions in a vertical prototype mimic their real counterparts as much
as possible.
How do I do it?
Since a vertical prototype needs to be practically fully functional (although
just for a small portion of the product interface), perhaps the best way
to obtain a vertical prototype is to use a fully functioning module of
the product. For software programs that are written with a modular architecture,
this can usually be done, although the interfaces to other modules won't
work (ok in this case, as it's strictly the given section's functionality
that will be tested or inspected, not other sections). For a car, it could
be the seating and other interior furnishings that will be tested, while
the drivetrain, body, sensors, and other components that aren't ready yet.
When should I use this technique?
Use this technique when the design for a particular section is rather complete
and merits testing as a contiguous unit. Even though other portions of
the product aren't ready for testing yet, you can determine problems with
a particular portion while the others are still in an earlier phase of
development.
Who can tell me more?
Click on any of the following links for more information:
Nielsen,
Jakob, Usability
Engineering, 1993, Academic Press/AP Professional, Cambridge, MA
ISBN 0-12-518406-9 (paper)
All content copyright © 1996 - 2019 James Hom