This document discusses rapid prototyping techniques for various types of projects. It provides examples of how to quickly prototype experiences, software systems, machines/devices, and marketing campaigns using low-fidelity and simulated methods. Examples include using coat hangers, fishing line, and paper to prototype physical forms. The document emphasizes maximizing the rate of learning through broad, fast exploration and minimizing the time to try things. It argues that prototyping helps find the path from an unknown concept to a high-quality outcome through research, development, and constellating results.

1. Rapid Prototyping X
Tom Chi

2. How would you prototype this experience?

3. Sheet Protector
Coat hanger
Plexiglas
Pico
projector
Netbook

4. Another Example

5. How would you prototype this?

6. Coat hanger
Fishing
line
Whiteboard
Hairbands
Presentation
Binder
clicker
clip
pen
Chopstick
Presentation
Clicker

7. Last Example

8. How would you figure the general shape/size of the product?

9. modeling wire
clay
paper
scale

10. So what just
happened there?

11. Rate-Based
Goals
By the time you try 20 things,
Say the things
you try have a
 64% chance of success
5% chance of
success…
By the time you try 50 things,
 92% chance of success

12. So to maximize the
rate of learning,
we dramatically
minimize the
time to try things

13. Don’t Guess.
Learn.

14. Don’t “Fail.”
Learn.

15. How would we prototype…
a Business Model?
What Conversations Need to Happen?
 Act them out!
What Processes Need to Work?
 Prototype their operation!

16. How would we prototype…
a Software System?
What screens would people see?
 Sketch them and use immediately!
What function does it need to provide?
 Simulate it!

17. How would we prototype…
a Machine / Device?
What is it’s physical form?
 Simulate it!
What is it’s function?
 Try it the cheapest way you can

18. How would we prototype…
a Marketing Campaign?
What will people need to know/feel?
 Draw, present to strangers, listen…
What thinking factors into the sale?
 Let people know their role / motivation…

19. How do you find a path…
 from the unknown to a high-quality outcome?
the Possible
Unknown Outcomes
t

20. Research Development
 maximize rate of learning  drive efficiency/quality
1. Branch into
broad & fast
exploration
3. Constellate 4. Build
your results
2. Extend / prune

21. Benefits of Rates
1. Simple way to measure progress
2. Immediately actionable – no more waiting
3. Allows you evaluate experiments faster
4. When you can evaluate faster, you can
experiment faster

22. Try fast, learn fast, revise fast (~15 prototypes / week)

23. Thanks!
@thegoodtomchi