¿Cuáles son algunas de las mejores prácticas para crear prototipos y probar sus ideas con sus usuarios objetivo?

In my experience using design thinking to solve social and economic challenges, there are two especially acute pitfalls that folks face. The first is having such vastly different lived experiences from your target users that you simply do not know what you do not know. This can lead to asking the wrong questions, omitting questions and limiting the way your prototypes may be shaped. It leads to all sorts of bias. More primary and secondary research can help. The second involves the way design thinking can fail to acknowledge the role that policies and systems play in the problems that people face. Innovators should clarify how to address the parts of a problem that involve individual behavior versus parts stemming from policy/systems.

From a community engagement perspective, do not define anything without the input of the target user. In fact, in a world where involvement, rather than mere inclusion is now the right approach, it is crucial that the user is at the centre of defining the problem, proffering the solution and input in the design. This is even more important if the matter is social in nature. Bias is inevitable but the above approach will help you keep it to the barest minimum. As long as the involvement is not a box-ticking exercise. Remember the old saying, s/he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches the most. So allow your target audience to help you define the problem because they experience and know it best.

Begin by clearly defining the problem you're trying to solve and identifying your target user or audience. Understanding their needs, preferences, and pain points is crucial for developing prototypes that resonate with them.

> Begin with rough prototypes (paper sketches, wireframes) to get early user feedback on core concepts. This allows for faster iteration and avoids wasting time polishing features users might dislike. > Recruit participants that accurately represent your target audience. > Define clear testing goals for each prototype iteration. Are you testing usability, information architecture, or specific functionalities? > Focus on observing user behavior during testing. > See how they interact with the prototype, where they get confused, and what features resonate. > Use this feedback to refine your ideas and prioritize future iterations.

The biggest pitfall of businesses and programs that I see quite often, is that they try to solve the wrong problems. This often comes from a preconceived understanding of how to best 'empower' a certain target group, without ever involving them in the process. It is also important to understand their experience not only in isolation, but also within the context they operate in (eg the culture, social norms, customs, or laws).

Prototypes help us get answers, so it's important to have clear questions before testing. Having a hypothesis means knowing the key questions to move forward. A helpful framework by Strategyzer says: "We believe that ______. To verify that, we will ___________ and measure _________. We're right if ___________."

In my business we love the idea of 'rougher is better' when it comes to prototyping. The reason why, is we find the less finished or polished something looks, the more people will feel comfortable giving you honest feedback on it and helping you to build it. Obviously in saying that, you do need to be able to get the prototype to a level where its good enough to showcase the concept and for the user to experience it.

Select the appropriate type and fidelity level of prototype based on your project goals and the stage of development. Low-fidelity prototypes, such as sketches or wireframes, are suitable for early exploration and concept validation, while high-fidelity prototypes offer a more realistic representation of the final product for detailed feedback.

Develop a structured plan for user testing that outlines your objectives, methodology, and criteria for success. Recruit representative users from your target audience and guide them through realistic scenarios or tasks using your prototype. Encourage participants to think aloud and provide candid feedback as they interact with the prototype.

Algo que me ha funcionado en la etapa de prototipado, es generar talleres de cocreación para revisar el prototipo e identificar los ajustes que requieran según las dificultades que los usuarios tuvieron con el prototipo. Cuando se trata de plataformas que desarrollaste, hay herramientas como seevolution, Google optimazer, click density entre otros que te ayudan a mejorar tu prototipo al recopilar como se comporta el usuario ante el prototipo.

Collect and analyze the feedback and insights gathered during user testing to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Prioritize the most impactful changes and iterate on your prototype accordingly, incorporating user feedback to refine the design and functionality. Continue this iterative process until you achieve a solution that meets the needs and expectations of your target users.

Repetir ciclos de prototipagem e testes conforme necessário é uma prática essencial para garantir que o produto final atenda às necessidades dos usuários e funcione de maneira eficaz. Esse processo iterativo envolve criar várias versões do protótipo, cada uma aprimorada com base no feedback recebido dos testes anteriores. A iteração contínua permite melhorias constantes, valida suposições, reduz riscos e oferece a flexibilidade necessária para fazer ajustes significativos no design. Ao testar e iterar frequentemente, é possível detectar e corrigir problemas precocemente, garantindo que o produto evolua continuamente em direção a uma solução otimizada e alinhada com as expectativas do mercado.