Article
Product development cycles run too long, causing teams to lose enthusiasm and focus. 60% of product decisions are the highest paid person’s opinion.
Embracing a "No Prototype, No Meeting" mindset can drastically change this narrative. This strategy pushes teams to prepare tangible prototypes before any major discussion, streamlining decision-making and accelerating product development. Michael Schrage, from MIT, highlights that prototypes aren't just tools, they are catalysts for more meaningful conversations and a shared vision for development.
Lack of prototypes leads to misaligned goals and wasted resources
Teams lack real data to base their business decisions on, often relying on endless internal discussions about high-level ideas and vague concepts. Traditional meetings without prototypes often lead to misunderstandings, misaligned goals, and ultimately, wasted time and resources. Furthermore, Schrage's research emphasises that relying too much on theoretical requirements rather than tangible prototypes creates a "market mismatch," where teams focus on requirements as ends in themselves rather than as stepping stones to actionable outcomes.
From cardboard to market success
“No Prototype, No Meeting” reduces miscommunication and fosters collaboration.
A prototype serves as the shared language for everyone involved, whether they are engineers, designers, or decision-makers. It encourages feedback, improves clarity, and solidifies understanding across teams. At Made, our credo is simple: no prototype, no meeting. Pushing our teams to bring tangible concepts to the table, accelerating discussions and decisions. This approach isn't just for internal alignment; it’s crucial for external validation too. In cases like Televic, BringMe, Bar-On, and Barco, we used simple cardboard prototypes to validate ideas, leading to impactful product development.
Additionally, shifting the focus to prototypes aligns with agile methodologies, where actions speak louder than words. Rather than focusing on exhaustive requirement gathering, "No Prototype, No Meeting" promotes creating quick, low-cost prototypes to explore possibilities and generate more accurate feedback.
Build better with a prototype-first culture
1. Use rapid prototyping tools to accelerate development: Leverage tools like Figma, InVision, or 3D printing to bring your concepts to life quickly. Digital prototyping enables rapid iterations, letting you test and refine ideas before they go too far in development.
2. Cultivate a “Prototype-First” culture: Ensure a prototype, even a basic one, is prepared before any decision-making meeting. This not only accelerates discussions but also allows for real-time adjustments and improvements, as seen in Schrage’s work where team provide better quality feedback when interacting with a working prototype.
3. Run hands-on prototyping workshops: Host internal workshops focused on rapid prototyping to foster a culture of action-driven problem-solving. Teams from across departments can come together, break silos, and experiment with creative solutions in real-time.
4. Iterative loops instead of one big launch: Launch an MVP and create a mechanism where you measure results, learn about the insights and build a new release with features that are in line with feedback.
3 Key takeaways to summarize
Faster decision-making: Prototypes provide a shared reference point, leading to more productive meetings and quicker decisions.
Reduced risk & improved clarity: Early prototyping reduces miscommunication, allowing for feedback that ensures the final product aligns with customer needs and project goals.
Download our free rapid prototyping template: Begin implementing "No Prototype, No Meeting" today by accessing our rapid prototyping template or joining our prototyping workshop.
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