Prototype Design Phase
Application Prototypes are the centerpiece to PCA's custom design-build process.
Prototypes provide PCA and our Clients with a very simple, visual means to communicate new application capabilities, functions, layout, workflow and overall look-and-feel
requirements. Prototypes provide a fast, inexpensive, and highly flexible method
to communicate and refine new application capabilities.
The outcome of the Prototype Design phase is
confidence that we are on the right track, a properly scoped project with reliable
budget and schedule estimates, and source-code to drive the Development Phase.
The final, Client-approved
Prototype Design also enables PCA to provide a reliable budget and schedule for
moving the Project forward. Prototype feedback sessions insure that all stakeholders — regardless of their level of knowledge and experience with software or databases
— have an opportunity to establish and refine the target application capabilities,
before development begins. PCA uses one-hundred percent of the Client-approved
Prototype for the Development Phase.
See sample Smart Client Prototype Applications
A Smart Client application Prototype consists of the complete application User Interface
— the main application layout, all the forms, buttons, lists, menu items, short-cuts,
etc. — and a preliminary back-end SQL Server database schema design (the underlying
data model structures and relationships that drive the User Interface features and
capabilities). The Prototype design may include elements from your existing application;
it may also include new User Interface conventions that we have used many times
successfully in the past. PCA experts will engage your team in design review/feedback
sessions, and refine the Prototype based upon your feedback and preferences. Iterations
to the Prototype design are driven by a working Prototype application installed
on your PC, accompanied by a ‘Paper Prototype’ that you mark-up and send back to
PCA with your comments.
PCA will continue making refinements to the User Interface
and underlying SQL database model until you raise your hand and say “that’s exactly
what I’m looking for!” It typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to complete a Prototype design
round-trip i.e. Prototype release… Client comments… follow-on questions and clarification…
next Prototype release. Two or three Prototype design iterations are usually sufficient
to confirm application capabilities and Project scope. Additional iterations
may be necessary for larger, more complex applications. PCA will provide you with
a refined Project estimate based upon the results of the approved Prototype Design
phase. Prototypes:
a simple analogy.