Friday, October 3, 2008

Rapid Prototyping Disadvantages

Prototype

Rapid Prototyping is a process wherein a working model or prototype is developed for the purpose of testing the various product features like design, ideas, features, functionality, performance and output. This process of development of working model is quite quick. Early Feedback is one thing that the user can give towards the prototype. Rapid prototyping is, generally, a significant and essential part of the system designing process and it is believed to decrease the project cost and risk.

The prototype that is developed by the process of rapid prototyping is based on the performance of earlier designs. Hence, it is possible to correct the defects or problems in the design by taking corrective measures. After you have made sure that the prototype meets every single requirement of the specific design then the product can be produces. There are many advantages of rapid prototyping.

Rapid Prototyping –Advantages in brief: Rapid prototyping has manifold advantages. It can provide with concept proof that would be required for attracting funds. The prototype gives the user a fair idea about the final look of the product. Rapid prototyping can enhance the early visibility. Whats nice about the developmental stage is that you can find really early flaws in the design that can be easier to fix. You really want to see a lot of participation with the user and producer in order to make the most out of rapid prototyping. Rapid Prototyping becomes popular when you start to see how cost effective it can be. A higher output is what the user can get.

The deficiencies in the earlier prototypes can be detected and rectified in time. The speed of  system development is increased. It is possible to get immediate feedback from the user. There is better communication between the user and designer as the requirement sand expectations are expressed in the beginning itself. High quality product is easily delivered by way of rapid prototyping. Invention Prototype enables development time and costs. There are many innovative ways in which rapid prototyping can be used.

Despite all these benefits, there are many people who believe that there are many disadvantages of rapid prototyping.

Disadvantages of Prototyping : Some people are of the opinion that rapid prototyping is not effective because, in actual, it fails in replication of the real product or system. It could so happen that some important developmental steps could be omitted to get a quick and cheap working model. As you can see with rapid prototyping this could be one of the biggest disadvantages. Another disadvantage of rapid prototyping is one in which many problems are overlooked resulting in endless rectifications and revisions. The best solution in a large sized application may not be the best situation possible for rapid prototyping.

The user may have very high expectations about the prototype’s performance and the designer is unable to deliver these. The system could be left unfinished due to various reasons or the system may be implemented before it is completely ready. The producer may produce an inadequate system that is unable to meet the overall demands of the organization. Too much involvement of the user might hamper the optimization of the program. The producer may be too attached to the program of rapid prototyping, thus it may lead to legal involvement.

The cost reduction benefit of rapid prototyping also seems to be debatable, as sufficient details regarding the calculation basis and assumptions are not substantial.

 
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