Prototype

As designers, we consider prototyping to be part of our process on any project. It doesn't matter if we are designing a new identity, a website, a product or anything else. Once we have an idea that we are working on, we will move as soon as possible to the prototype phase.

I won't go into a lot of details about what a prototype is as you can get that on wikipedia. For those of you who don't know how prototyping works reading through this wikipedia entry will give you a good intro. In essence, prototyping allows you to build an initial "model" which will help you experience the idea you are working on, and bring something from the drawing board to real life.

You don't have to be a designer to benefit from the advantages of prototyping. It can be applied in different forms to everything that you do. If you are starting a new company and trying a new concept, you can do a prototype before starting up to gather feedback. If you are an IT manager, instead of planning a massive roll out of a new product, prototype the solution with a small team. No matter what you do, I'm sure that prototyping can be advantageous to you. For prototyping to succeed, you also need to make it itterative. Start with your idea, move as soon as you can to a prototype and then start itterations. Test the parts you want to test, fix any problems and create the next prototype. This itterative process will allow you to quickly solve any problems and create something that is useful and functional. 

Whatever project you are involved in, stop drawing and start making. It will help you realise how viable the idea is and help you solve all those little problems you are having. Create your prototype, let people use it, gather feedback, gain insight and then repeat.