A lo-fi prototype is one that is low fidelity, low tech, and simple. The opposite of this would be a hi-fi prototype. Lo-Fi prototypes can help you succeed during the innovation and design process.

What is the purpose of prototyping?
A prototype is not a proof-of-concept. Prototypes are used during the design and innovation stage to test and refine ideas, while a proof-of-concept is used to sell the idea to investors or key stakeholders.

How is a simple prototype better for testing and refining ideas?
A lo-fi prototype removes the nonessential features from a test. Suppose you are testing the menu system of a new cell phone to see if your categories are logical and if people find what they are looking for. If you use a physical phone with your “cool looking” menu, you are likely to receive responses about the shape of the phone or the look of the menu. Now try to strip out the unnecessary. If you use a lo-fi prototype, consisting of a file folders labeled with the menu options and subsequent folders or selections inside, your responses will be focused on the menu system itself.

What are the key advantages of a lo-fi prototype?
1. Results are focused on what you are trying to test.
2. Costs are much lower than investing time and resources in hi-fi prototypes.
3. Time needed to create a lo-fi prototype is lower than a hi-fi prototype.
4. Changes can be made quickly.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 at 1:10 am and is filed under Innovation Tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.