A business has a product concept and an initial BOM (Bill Of Materials) and now needs to create a prototype to raise funding. Backers will want to see a working and relatively good-looking prototype first before parting with their cash.*

Building a prototype once all the design work is done and if components can be ordered is one thing, maybe just a couple of weeks, including testing. But is that the situation here?

How do we get to the prototype stage?

Getting a tangible work-like and looks-like prototype usually involves many steps:

• Understanding the product requirements and asking questions to clarify points, etc.
• Planning for 1 design iteration and setting a test plan for the prototypes
• Doing some sourcing work
• Doing some engineering design
• 3D printing some parts, and maybe applying surface treatment (e.g. paint)
• Making a few prototype PCB assemblies if it’s a work-like prototype
• Receiving the various parts from outside vendors, checking if they are OK, and getting new ones to replace any they messed up
• Building prototype(s), usually with a bit of trial & error
• Testing the prototypes and, maybe, making corrections if needed
• Packaging and sending the prototypes

As mentioned in this blog post we wrote earlier:

We often tell our clients this.

Remember, the Dyson vacuum cleaner we know today went through 5,000 prototypes before its version 1.0 was approved for manufacturing.

For a relatively unique and complex product, it is pretty common for the development to take 3 months or more of intense work. Sometimes it is 9 to 12 months. And sometimes many years, for the most challenging products.

This means that there is probably no fast route to a fairly advanced prototype.

Might a proof-of-concept prototype be enough?

One point to consider is that you may not require a work-like and looks-like prototype to illustrate well enough to backers how the product will work. Building a proof-of-concept prototype that looks rougher than a looks-like prototype and only has, say, 1 or 2 of the key functions, may be adequate. Getting to this stage will be a lot less work and lower cost.

Making a proof-of-concept prototype is a double-edged sword, as it will also address whether some large assumptions are being made and if there are known technical difficulties that could derail the project.

Conclusion

A list of parts (basically, a very initial BOM) probably isn’t enough for you to produce quite an advanced prototype. There is still a lot of work to be done. However, if backers providing funding need to see tangible evidence of the product and how it works, an earlier proof-of-concept prototype might be more suitable at this point.

P.S.

You may also like:

• 4 Types of Pre Production Prototype You’ll Make Before Production
• We also discussed the costs of getting to the prototype stage and launching your product here:
  

*Based on a real Sofeast reader’s question.