Prototyping makes a proposed platform feature tangible before the team commits to building it for production. An interactive prototype lets users react to a possible experience; a working proof of concept tests whether an architecture or technology choice works for actual use cases. Both replace assumptions with evidence. section 10.2.5 section 2.1.3
Choose the smallest experiment that answers the decision at hand:
- For a user-experience question, prototype a critical feature with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, or Angular, or make a noncoded mockup in Figma. Present it to users and stakeholders, then record feedback and planned improvements. section 10.2.5
- For a technology choice, implement a realistic proof of concept on the actual engineering platform infrastructure. Check installation, upgrade, and maintenance concerns before committing. section 8.2.1
- For a new platform capability, start with the smallest valuable element. Experiment, test it through real-world usage, and expand only after it demonstrates value. section 2.1.4
Watch how developers use the result, not just what they say they want. They may use a feature unexpectedly or overestimate its importance before trying it. A prototype can expose that mismatch while changes are cheaper than a full implementation. section 2.1.3 section 2.1.4
