Which of these is an advantage of prototyping?
A. Users can try the system and provide constructive feedback during development.
B. Formal end-of-phase reviews take place systematically.
C. System documentation is always complete because the primary focus is on development of a prototype.
D. There is a lot of attention given to system backup and recovery, performance, and security.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Users can try the system and provide constructive feedback during development.
Prototyping is a software development methodology where an initial, working version of a system (a prototype) is created early in the project. This prototype is then refined through iterative development, often based on user feedback. One of the key advantages of this approach is that users can interact with the system prototype early on, providing real-time feedback and helping shape the system’s design to better meet their needs.
By involving users early in the process, the development team can identify potential issues or misunderstandings with requirements before the final system is built. This feedback loop leads to a more user-friendly and effective system because the design is continually refined based on actual user experiences. This is especially beneficial in situations where user requirements are not well understood at the beginning or where the system’s functionality may evolve over time.
Other options, such as B, C, and D, are not typical advantages of prototyping. Option B talks about formal reviews, which are generally not emphasized in prototyping since the development process is more iterative and informal. Option C is incorrect because prototyping tends to focus more on development and functionality rather than complete documentation, which may be less developed at the prototype stage. Option D refers to system performance and security, which are typically emphasized in later stages of development, not in the early prototyping phase. Prototyping focuses more on validating user needs and functional requirements rather than on final system features such as backup, recovery, or security.
Overall, prototyping enhances user involvement and helps ensure that the final system aligns with user expectations.