Prototype-Driven Design versus Specification-Driven Design: Your choice

As one who has spent over twenty-five years in the non-profit sector, learning about innovation and design thinking from a graduate class that I recently completed was very insightful. For those unfamiliar with the term, design thinking is a creative thought process used for solving problems and producing unique ideas. A distinct aspect is that it includes ‘real-time’ insight from customers and utilizes prototyping for product development while making iterations all along the way. 

Specification-Driven Design

Regarding designs for innovation, there are generally two categories: specification-driven design and prototype-driven design. According to Michael Schrage, with specification-driven design, every specific detail of the design process is written down and followed by extensive research performed by the organization. Dennis B. Mulcare posits that neither the examples (prototypes) nor the specifications are discarded with this design. They are believed to be useful throughout system development. Customers are not involved with the design process and usually only handle the products toward the end of production. 

Prototype-Driven Design

Prototype-driven design, conversely, allows customers (co-designers) to be involved in the design process from the beginning to the end. Their involvement helps verify profitability by making suggestions that influence iterations throughout. Prototypes are like mock examples, samples, and illustrations of what the end project or service will be. In producing these initial versions, users and suppliers can handle the products and provide recommendations about potential challenges and necessary changes. It is all done to make the product even better. 

Differences 

Some differences between the two approaches are as follows: with specification-driven design, customers are not a part of the developmental process. With prototype-driven design, customers are a vital part of the innovation process. Because they are given mock versions of the product, they can provide invaluable insight into the durability and functionality of the items. Another critical difference is that specification-driven design involves specific details regarding how the product should be given before production.

In comparison, prototype-driven design makes room for moderation throughout the design process. Exemplary products and modifications are expected to result from utilizing prototypes. Lastly, there is a difference as it relates to time. Specification-driven design is generally cheaper because the emphasis is on efficiency and trimming the process. On the other hand, due to the inability to settle on a specific budget, design costs can sometimes exceed projected amounts, making it more expensive.

Concluding Thoughts 

Organizations must have a clear understanding of what their objectives are. With this knowledge, companies can better decide if specification-driven design or prototype-driven design works best. Sometimes, a combination can be beneficial. Because of the constant iterations throughout the process, prototyping designs can save time, eliminate unnecessary production costs, and produce a slight edge above designs that utilize the specification-driven approach. With the advancement of technology and competition from all over the world, there is a need for more innovative and state-of-the-art designs, which leads to superior products. Overall, prototyping-driven design works best when the end goal is customer usability, design practicality, and a desire to keep current with changing times.