What is the purpose of a prototype?

A prototype serves an essential role in the engineering design process as it allows for the testing and evaluation of a design concept before committing to full-scale production. Creating a prototype involves building a model that represents the final product, which can be used to assess its functionality, usability, and performance. This step is crucial because it identifies potential issues and allows designers to make necessary adjustments based on real-world observations and testing, ultimately leading to a more refined and effective final product.

While gathering feedback from stakeholders, finalizing designs, and documenting specifications are important aspects of the design process, these actions generally follow or complement the prototyping stage. A prototype specifically focuses on the iterative testing of ideas in a practical context, making it a vital step in transitioning from concept to production.