Page 126 - The Design Thinking Playbook

What digital tools can be used to test prototypes quickly?

An extremely simple and effective way of taking many users’ feedback into account is the use of a
Web-based tool. Recently, various Software-as-a-Service solutions have evolved, with which affordable,
efficient and Web-based feedback can be obtained.
With the aid of such a tool, Peter quickly built up an internal feedback community consisting of employees
of his company and selected external customers. “Friendly user test,” a term frequently used in
German-speaking countries, doesn’t quite hit home. After all, the specific purpose of the test is to identify
weaknesses in the design and get suggestions for improvement—which are not necessarily “friendly.” The
term “customer trial” used in English-speaking regions is a little better. Interesting!
Peter has used such a tool for a customer trial several times already, and it has been helpful in his experi-
ence. It enables him to obtain feedback in relation to

• prototype variants,
• procedures, and
• images or links through URLs.

and to conduct A/B testing. The number of prototypes is unlimited. One great advantage of such a tool is
that additional questions can be asked and there is a great deal of leeway in terms of the makeup of the
community surveyed. The segmentation ensures that the feedback matches his needs optimally.
On the same day he sets up the tool, Peter receives some initial feedback. Within only two days, he can
give a valid assessment of the prototype variants, based on which he can develop a new product function.

125