Phase IV
Prototype
Build prototypes for a range of our ideas
Sketching
A visualization of the entire user experience with a product or service, highlighting pain points and opportunities. Helps SMEs focus innovation efforts for maximum customer impact.
Storyboarding
Fictional representations of users based on research, helping teams maintain a user-centered focus. Creates shared understanding across departments without extensive documentation.
Low-fidelity prototyping
A four-quadrant visualization organizing what users say, think, do, and feel. Enables quick synthesis of research findings to identify unmet needs.
Role-playing
Technique for identifying root causes through repeated "why" questioning. Helps resource-constrained SMEs address fundamental problems rather than symptoms.
Proof of concept
Structured approach using what, who, when, where, why, and how questions for multi-perspective problem understanding. Provides comprehensive analysis framework for small teams.
Minimum viable product
Method for organizing large amounts of data into meaningful groups. Enables efficient processing of complex information and pattern recognition without specialized analytical tools.
Prototyping
Budget Guide
Prototyping Budget Guide (50€–500€)
How much does it take to prototype? Less than you think.
This short guide shows what SMEs can achieve with prototyping budgets as low as 50 euros.
It outlines three budget levels (50 €, 250 €, 500 €), including what tools, platforms and outcomes are realistic for each.
Ideal for small teams who want to move fast – without overinvesting in early ideas.
Prototype in a Day
Paper Prototype in a Day
A hands-on method to turn your idea into a testable concept – in just one working day.
This example guide walks your team through a full-day process to create a low-fidelity paper prototype.
No tech tools, no design software – just clear thinking, pens, and paper.
Follow a simple schedule from sketching to real user feedback, all in under 8 hours.
It’s ideal for SMEs that want to validate early ideas quickly and cheaply before committing further resources.
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