A comparative case study of prototyping tools-experiences and conclusions

An examination is made of (1) the goal pursued in following a prototyping approach, i.e. which questions a prototype should answer, (2) tools supporting the prototyping process, and (3) the impact of tools on the software development process. These questions have been examined by conducting case studies in the context of student projects. In evaluating these projects special consideration was given to the transferability of results to a nonacademic environment. By concentrating on these issues, the authors feel it is possible to arrive at a better understanding of what prototyping can help to achieve. They begin by clarifying what is meant by the term prototyping. They explain the setting of the projects conducted, including the organizational and methodological background, and the tools used in the specific projects. The four experiments conducted are described, and findings are outlined. Attention is focused on the conditions required for successful prototyping projects and the requirements that tools have to fulfil in order to fit into a project based on a prototyping approach