What is application prototyping?
In software development, prototyping refers to the process of creating a preliminary version of a software application to explore and validate key concepts before committing to full-scale development. Unlike an MVP, which is a basic but market-ready product with essential features, a prototype is more of a mock-up or experimental version, allowing teams to explore the “what-if” scenarios and refine ideas.
Prototyping or building proof-of-concept applications is an important stage in the development of web-based software. Before fully committing time and investing in a project, performing prototyping and research can reveal previously unseen challenges or identify software features essential to success.
At Si Novi we are accustomed to developing prototype web and mobile applications, both as an outsourced technology team for clients, and in the development of our own software systems. Si Novi's experienced team are able to deliver alpha-phase software development of prototype and proof-of-concept applications.
In this article, I explore the process and benefits of building prototypes in software development, and how prototypes can be turned into more robust applications using open-source technologies and cloud solutions like AWS.
Rapid development to test ideas
We build prototype and proof-of-concept applications using AWS services and trusted web technologies such as Node.js, JavaScript and PHP. By leveraging cloud products like AWS Cognito for user login and AWS API Gateway for mock API's, web applications can be quickly scaffolded in order to test ideas.
Prototyping allows us to quickly deploy a working version of an idea and start testing it in real scenarios within days or weeks instead of months. This rapid development approach means that product teams can test assumptions, gather feedback, and iterate quickly, allowing for continuous improvements and validation at every stage.
Converting Excel prototypes to web applications
Often, prototypes begin as offline models such as Excel spreadsheets, particularly for applications that require complex data handling or financial calculations. These spreadsheet-based models are practical for quickly testing formulas, interactions, and data visualisation needs. Many non-technical team members feel comfortable working in Excel, making it a common choice for an initial prototype. However, as the project grows in complexity, Excel models quickly become limited, especially when scalability, user access, or security becomes a concern.
To turn an Excel model into a web-based prototype or an MVP, a software development team such as ourselves can reverse-engineer the logic of the Excel model and re-create this in web technologies to build a scalable, responsive, and interactive application.
Many of our web application projects have started life as existing business spreadsheets that manage complex workflows or financial calculations. We bring these into a web environment by identifying and reimplementing the essential Excel features in a database-backed web application, adding features like role-based access, real-time collaboration, and secure, encrypted data storage using AWS tools such as Amazon RDS or DynamoDB.
Prototypes as a valuable building block
We strive to build prototype or proof-of-concept applications as building blocks for the future product. Strictly speaking a prototype isn't developed to be reusable, however by using open source web technologies and cloud services, many elements can be reusable and valuable assets to be built on or refactored into a more polished end product.
As an example, we use infrastructure as code (IaC) to automate and manage cloud resources, making infrastructure configurations reusable. Using tools like AWS CloudFormation, we script the setup of AWS resources so that the environment built for the prototype can be easily replicated or modified for the MVP phase. This approach reduces the time and cost associated with setting up environments from scratch and enables us to retain the work done in the prototype phase, ensuring that initial investments in the prototype pay dividends throughout the product lifecycle.
Should I Build a Prototype?
Building a prototype is highly recommended for most software projects, especially those involving new concepts or innovative features. A prototype provides a quick way to validate ideas, test user interactions, and confirm technical feasibility before fully committing to development. Prototyping can save both time and resources by allowing the team to focus on what's essential and avoid developing features that may not be as valuable as initially assumed.
For web applications, prototyping with open-source technologies and cloud services like AWS adds even more value, offering a fast, cost-effective, and flexible way to test and iterate on ideas. Prototyping not only improves communication between developers, designers, and stakeholders but also reduces the risk of unexpected challenges arising late in the development process.
In conclusion, a well-built prototype can reveal the most promising path forward for your software project. By making use of scalable cloud solutions and open-source frameworks, your prototype can become a key foundation for the MVP, ensuring that both functionality and user experience are thoroughly vetted and aligned with the product vision. Therefore, if you're considering a new application or feature, building a prototype is often the smartest first step in the development journey.
