Prototyping Prototyping and its effects on quality improvement. By Robert Stein

Information Breakdown Prototyping Defined Prototyping “Brainstorming” Exercise Real World Implementation Industry Prototyping Examples Prototyping Class Exercise Summary

Prototyping Defined An iterative approach to design in which a series of mock-ups or models are developed until the customer and the designer come to agreement as to the final design. (In some cases, the customer might not be an external user but upper management that approves the designs.) Source: Managing Quality Textbook

Prototyping Defined - Types Basic Prototypes: nonworking mock-up of the product that can be reviewed prior to acceptance.  Popular for use in trade shows  “Concept” design phase  Sometimes for internal use only (secretive)  Product release a few years off, or never Source: Managing Quality Textbook

Prototyping Defined - Types Paper Prototypes: consist of a series of drawings developed by the designers prior to acceptance.  Usually developed on CAD  Are “blueprints” in some cases  Can be distributed easily  Cost efficient in early design stages Source: Managing Quality Textbook

Prototyping Defined - Types Working Prototypes: Fully working models of the final product.  Cost prohibitive in early stages  Design cycle must be completed  Fairly accurate representation of final product (sometimes)  Guarded in secrecy Source: Managing Quality Textbook

Prototyping – Brainstorming Exercise Can anyone think of a product for which a prototype would be appropriate? If so, which type of prototype would you use? Why? Can prototyping be used in the service industry?

Prototyping – Implementation in Industry Environments Prototyping goals should be set in the “Idea Generation” phase of the Design Life Cycle.  The actual prototypes should be produced between the preliminary design and the final definition stages.  Reduces cycle time  Reduces chance of failure costs  Increases productivity Source: Managing Quality Textbook

Prototyping – Implementation in Industry Environments Prototyping can be implemented easier by following some of the philosophies of the fathers of quality improvement.  Deming: Create constancy of purpose (Point # 1), Improve constantly (Point #5), Institute on the job training (Point #6), Break down Barriers between departments (Point #9), Involve everyone (Point #14) Source: Managing Quality Textbook

Prototyping –Industry Examples Microsoft TechNet Website  Graphical user interface (GUI) prototyping  Developed 4 nonfunctional websites before final design was chosen  Prototypes interact with users to determine visual and functional preferences  Generated Good PR for Microsoft  Generated Additional Traffic Source: Missouri State University

Prototyping – Industry Examples Harley-Davidson V-Rod Motorcycle  Individual Component / Final Product Prototyping  Involved many departments and levels within company (vertically and horizontally integrated)  Used all three types.  Clay, Plastic and Metal Prototypes  Both Nonfunctional and Completely Functional  Instituted during “Idea Generation” Phase  Cost Efficient for V-Rod’s purposes Source: Discovery Birth of a V-Rod Video

Prototyping – Class Exercise Aircraft Scale Models  The board of directors of the aircraft manufacturer you work for has asked the engineering department to develop a logistical model for an aircraft fighter that they plan to develop.  Note: The project is in the “Idea Generation” phase of the product life cycle.

Prototyping – Class Exercise Form into teams of 4 to 5 engineers and develop a paper prototype of the “fighter” your team thinks has the best airframe. Goals: Test different models and submit to the board the prototype you feel stays afloat the longest. Use a single sheet of 8.5 x 14 computer paper for cost efficiency.

Prototyping - Summary Improves Overall Product Quality Cost Efficient/Effective Reduces Design Cycle Time & Failure Costs Devotion Throughout Organization Higher Success Rates for Final Product Importance Throughout Industry

Prototyping - Bibliography Foster, Thomas. Managing Quality: An Integrative Approach Sauter, Vicki. Prototyping Examples. University of Missouri-Saint Louis ( Discovery Videos. Birth of the V-Rod