The role of prototyping in a bottom‐up approach to systems development: the “ideal”
Denise Oh · Campus-Wide Information Systems · 1995
One available component of a bottom‐up approach to systems development is prototyping, together with evaluation. Prototyping is a potentially empowering learning strategy as its practicality allows users to be educated on a system, the development of which their input assisted. Prototypes are built to be changed and development is iterative, not linear. It is a good method to test out ideas: a “trial and error” method. Together with information sourcing skills and evaluation or “control” – in the form of continual experimental feedback – prototyping can lead to the development of a more optimum system: in the sense of user friendliness and the minimization of potential errors that might arise during the later stages of development and implementation. The prototype system can be developed further and enhanced by the user in the light of experience. The acquisition of experience is itself a result of regular evaluation.