(2005-07-21) Cagan Startup Prototype

Martin Cagan (Silicon Valley Product Group) on Start Up Product Development via Prototype. there are two keys: 1) the idea is to create a high-fidelity prototype that mimics the eventual user experience – it’s just fine if the back-end processing and data is all fake; and 2) you need to validate this product design with real target users. In this model, it is normal to create literally dozens of versions of the prototype – it will evolve daily, sometimes with minor refinements and sometimes with very significant changes. I think that for something really "new" it's hard to make a prototype rich enough to really give people a strong intuitive sense of what you're about. On the other hand, maybe that's a sign that you need to craft a narrow/tangible/compelling message, even if it only covers one corner of what you do. Kinda like a Product Fragmentation approach - 2005-07-15-JotspotProduct Fragmentation.