Popular searches

About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

More about us

Prototyping framework

Structuring your approach
In Government innovation Innovation policy

Introduction to prototyping

Printable version

Browse sections

Introduction to prototyping What actually is prototyping? Before you begin Doing the ground work Pause point one Prototyping: phase one Pause point two Prototyping: phase two Pause point three Evaluate and enterprise

Prototyping is an approach to developing, testing and improving an idea at an early stage before you commit a lot of resources to it. The prototyping process outlined in this toolkit was developed by Nesta and thinkpublic.

It should be useful for any organisation or individual with a new untested idea. It will provide some background information on why to use prototyping, when, what and how to do it, and who to do it with.

Key features

  • Take our simple quiz before you start
  • Find a visual map of what to do when
  • Get top tips at every stage of the process

Depending on what you are prototyping, you may find stages of this process are more relevant than others, but the diagram provides a framework which will allow you structure your approach.

  1. Who to involve in prototyping
  2. Team persona cards
  3. Activity sheet
  4. Storyboard
  5. Testing plan
  6. Activity sheet two
  7. Telephone interview plan
  8. Method cards
  9. Business plan template
  10. Mapping scales
A comprehensive flowchart of the entire prototyping cycle, integrating three main phases, three decision-making pause points, guiding evaluation questions, and a continuous foundation of prototyping the business model

The prototyping cycle

Read the text-based description of this image

Image Description

This complete process map details the full prototyping cycle from initial groundwork to final evaluation. It features interconnected cycles for groundwork and two prototyping phases, separated by three pause points for proof of concept, wider engagement, and decision-making. Evaluative questions in blue circles prompt reflection at each stage, asking questions like whether the team has the right skills. A foundational arrow emphasizes continuously prototyping the business model throughout the entire workflow.

Next section: What actually is prototyping?

A powerful ecosystem for innovation

We extend our impact through two specialised units that help people and organisations to solve complex problems and achieve their goals.

BIT

BIT helps clients from government, nonprofits and the private sector to improve people’s lives through our empirical problem solving and deep understanding of human behaviour.

Challenge Works

Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society.

Stay up to date

Get our regular newsletter and tailor your updates on our missions, programmes and events