Visualization & Prototyping
Innovators — and especially Business Design teams — work with ideas and concepts that are entirely new and unfamiliar. That’s the essence of innovation. But it’s also the biggest challenge: Teams have to navigate through complete uncertainty. This is where "Visualization & Prototyping" comes into play.
Purpose
Prototyping and visualization are essential parts of any innovation journey. They help teams make ideas tangible, communicate clearly, and get meaningful feedback early on. In the validation phase of a Business Design Sprint, prototyping becomes even more powerful — enabling small, scientific experiments that test assumptions and reduce risk through real data.
But perhaps the most transformative aspect of prototyping is this: Prototypes are not just early versions of a product — they are social artifacts that foster collaboration, spark dialogue, and become the foundation for building innovative teams.
Elements
1
Communicate your ideas
Prototypes bring emotion and storytelling into the innovation process. They help you tell compelling, inspiring stories that resonate with your audience.
2
Understand your ideas
A prototype offers a window into the future. It helps teams and stakeholders grasp the essence of an idea — even when it’s still abstract or hard to imagine.
3
Get feedback for your ideas
Prototypes invite strong reactions — sometimes even emotional or conflicting ones. That’s a good thing. Honest feedback leads to better solutions.
4
Validate with small experiments
Prototyping allows you to test hypotheses and tackle uncertainties with minimal risk. Think of it as rapid, reality-based learning — before you invest in full development.
5
Learn from the market
Some things can only be learned through real-world exposure. Prototypes evolve into MVPs that allow you to gather feedback in-market — from actual users.