This is both a process and a type of tools to create prototypes for starting and testing as quick as possible a development. This is not something original from web or software development: you would be surprised of how stablished the process is in any industrial sector. See wikipedia for rapid prototyping: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_prototyping. In the GUI-web context a rapid prototype is also known as a wireframe, in some other contexts a "mockup" (though this can be something not functional- a rapid prototype or wireframe must provide some simulation of the functionality).
In this page I will not go through the many advantages of the process in web or GUI development. I want to provide a list of tools. They are divided into three groups:
- add-ons or plugins for standard productivity tools
- desktop tools (though they can produce prototypes that can be used on-line) and
- fully on-line tools (both the creation and the deployment of the prototype are done on-line)
- further information with relevant information and examples
Add-ons or plugins for typical software
Visio stencil - for wireframes
Visio is one of the tools included in Microsoft Office suite. It is a generic software to create flowcharts and similar things, but works very well as a general design tool. A stencil is a set of pre-designed forms that can be dropped onto the flowchart or design.
If you google visio stencils you will find lots of links, this is one of the best for our purpose: visio stencils for information architects.
You have there a good explanation of what a stencil is. At bottom of this page you will find links to stencils and templates (scroll to resources). The one I know which is linked there is Jesse James Garret's "a little bit old" stencil. It is in his site, which contains a very good collection of what information architecture is: http://www.jjg.net/ia/visvocab/.
Direct link to download the stencil: http://www.jjg.net/ia/visvocab/files/garrett_ia_visio2000.zip
It is a free tool.
Desktop Tools
Axure
http://www.axure.com/Default.aspx
Axure is the leader tool for web prototyping. As far as we could see in one installation, it is based on MS Visio. It is an interesting tool when you want to prototype a web site quickly. It provides web components and can generate the associated code in a very quick fashion. A very effective module of this tool is the capability to export the prototype into a Word document. This, maybe together with the propietary forms, is the real advantage of paying the price instead of using the Visio stencil.
The benefits come at a price: nearly $600 per year. Renovation of licenses are $189 per year.
Omnigraffle
http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/OmniGraffle/
It is only available for Mac OS X. Comments about it in cadius are very good.
GUI Design Studio 2.4
http://www.carettasoftware.com/guidesignstudio/
GUI Design Studio 2.4 claims to “Create User Interface Designs And Interactive Prototypes In 3 Easy Steps Without Writing A Single Line of Code”. I have no experience on this tool. It is pricey, only a mere $100 below Axure.
Justinmind
An interesting idea which builds on other wireframe applications described in this page. It is actually a suite, with Justinmind Prototyper to design wireframes ("Easily create fully functional wireframes for your web, desktop and mobile applications, and reduce software project costs. Simulation engine is embedded."); Justinmind Viewer - Free ("Execute functional simulations of your application"); and Justinmind Server, to generate and annotate web wireframes.
At last I can see the buzzwords these days in software development together with rapid prototyping:
"Agile Prototyping methodology"
Tasks Sketch
Tasks Sketch - This is a UML-Based tool that focuses on linking and tracing use cases to the conceptual architecture of a system. The tool is being developed by Pedro F. Campos and Nuno J. Nunes at the University of Madeira. It seems it is only for Mac OS X.
Canon Sketch
CanonSketch is a UML-Based tool for the creation, design and editing of Canonical Abstract Prototypes and, more generally for Model-Based User Interface Design (MB-UID). The tool is being developed by Pedro F. Campos and Nuno J. Nunes at the University of Madeira. It seems it is only for Mac OS X.
Irise.com
The claim that "Innovative organizations use iRise to visualize business applications before they’re built to accelerate delivery, cut costs, ensure global sourcing success and drive business value". The idea seems to have two separate applications, one to build the prototypes, with a cost (could not find the price) and another one, free, for customers or users to try them.
Serena Prototype Composer
It is a free tool! Now testing it. Some requirements, but maybe from old version when I first consulted this information:
System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 - Microsoft Windows XP. The products require that. NET Framework version 1.1 or later be installed on the system. In addition, the XML features of Microsoft Word 2003 are required for document generation.
On-line Tools
Gliffy.com
http://www.gliffy.com/ This is an on-line tool to create all types of diagrams, from kitchen maps to complex software applications flowcharts. It allows co-operative development.
You have to register for a free account. Please do! It is an excellent on-line tool, though I still have to see all its functionality.
Jumpchart
http://www.jumpchart.com/ A Jumpchart is an online interactive wireframe. If you build websites for a living, you know that content organization and approval can be an overwhelming process. We've all tried flowcharts, and wireframes, html mocks… even paper. All of these suffer from crucial flaws… They're not interactive, and they carry no momentum into the build phase.
I have tried it, a quick signup process, very good looking website. However, you do not have the graphic elements which are essential to the GUI wireframes: buttons, scroll bars, pop-up messages, drop-down menus, radio buttons…
So it looks like something restricted to text-based applications. But then, what is the difference with a wiki-based site? Or is it that this is based on wiki software?
Simunication
This is a sad story. This startup claimed to provide an on-line tool for designing wireframes. However, its website, simunication.com, does not work anymore. This aim is still at
http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/simunication-com-fast-and-easy-prototypes
A Simunication is a rapidly designed web application prototype designed online using Simunicator to enable users to visualize and test drive the application before the formal development process begins.
Simunication allows you to build prototypes on site or upload your own HTML, CSS, Flash, script and more. As it's entirely web based, you can take your work home, to the coffee shop, to the airport, wherever. Prototypes built on Simunication mimic real ones so you can engage your customers and find out what needs work. Start using Simunication by enterting use case, flows and steps. Coding skills are required for the addition of advanced behaviors, however the non-tech crowd can create basic apps to get things started. As Simunications are based on real web apps they can be used for user verification and feedback, for mashups, for brainstorming, and even for raising capital from VC's.
Mindomo.com
http://www.mindomo.com/ Mind Mapping Software freely accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Further information
Some more information that can be found by googling rapid prototyping
http://www.smartcode.com/downloads/rapid-gui-prototyping.html
Did you know you can build rapid prototypes even with MS-Excel? An excellent page with a published example:
http://excelprototyping.weebly.com/
It is one of the examples at http://wireframes.linowski.ca/
