Whatever item your business intends on producing and introducing to the market, creating a working prototype is a critical step in the design process. While an unnecessary prototype is a waste of valuable time and money, lacking a prototype when you need one can cost you even more money and time. This does not take into account the associated frustration that comes with having a false product start.

The extra planning and investment you put into your prototype will eventually pay off big. Even outsourcing your prototyping project for accurate and affordable 3D modeling by PhotoModeler, for example, will streamline the entire process. Here are five situations when you actually need to have a prototype of your new product.

1. To Evaluate and Test the Design

On the other side, design drawings and ideas can sometimes vary significantly from real-world situations your product will experience. When you have a prototype, you have an actual product that will help you determine aspects that need to be discarded or revised. Also, the prototype will help you find omissions that were previously not noticeable on paper.

2. For Patenting

If your new product is unique enough, you should consider getting a patent for it. It does not help that you come with a novel product idea only to have another business produce a similar product. All because you failed to patent key design aspects that another company takes advantage of the situation.

Also, your working prototype will help your patent lawyer have an idea of what aspects might be patentable. Furthermore, it also helps find out what parts of your product likely violate existing patents.

3. Clarification of Production Costs

Prototyping before actual production gives you a first glance into the production process to see what steps need to be changed, removed, or combined. Apart from streamlining your production process, the prototype will also help keep actual production costs down to a minimum. Plus, any production issues will be solved even before mass production starts.

4. For Approval from Higher-Ups or Buyers

If creating a product for someone higher up in a company, or a buyer who wants a custom-made item, you need to demonstrate that you can deliver. Other situations that require a prototype include when you need a proof of concept, need to show the product to a retail buyer, or when a focus group will review your new product.

It is also easier to sell your product to potential customers when you can present to them a working prototype they can hold and manipulate during a marketing presentation. Without the prototype, all you have is a concept, which makes it difficult for any client to commit to purchasing.

5. You Need to Explore Further Possibilities

In some cases, you might be working on two or more very viable possibilities of your product, but you do not have a clear direction of what is best. In fact, there could also be disagreements within your design team on what your new product can and cannot do. Ordering multiple prototypes of various types and more, for A/B testing will help you get cold hard facts that will inform better decision making.

Apart from the scenarios above, having a prototype built is an exciting step in any product lifecycle as you see an idea come to life. Plus, the prototype is a critical tool for creating documents like instructions and procedures before even mass production starts – saving you time, effort, and money. The moment you can finally touch, hold and use an actual working product, you know you have made a significant step as an entrepreneur!