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Create prototypes

Structured experimentation​

Public innovation comes from trying out and learning from prototypes. This is the only way to arrive at a common understanding of the developed concept within our team.

Incorporate different living situations​

In order to ensure the key actors stay at the center of our innovation process, we create Persona Profiles that effectively remind us of the specific behaviors, interests, and expectations of specific groups of people. We also consider marginalized groups with special needs when developing Persona Profiles. Finally, by carrying out tests with extreme groups, it is possible to develop a holistic prototype.

Invite critical feedback​

Equipped with a lot of knowledge, we set about creating a concept prototype. The simple construction of this prototype puts ideas into a concrete form that key actors can interact with. The test data collected can be used to measure whether the direction is still on target or whether the prototype or our solution needs to be adapted. Critical feedback is particularly valuable here. It accelerates the learning process and contributes significantly to the efficient development of an impact-oriented public benefit.

Build Concept Prototype​

Define goal:​

Narrow down the choice of materials and resources:​

Create versions:​

Have fun strengthening the team’s collaborative spirit:​

Persona Profile​

Method
Persona Profile

What is it and what purpose does it serve?​

Persona Profiles describe fictional characters. Each one usually represents a group of people, such as our key actors, with their shared interests, behavioral patterns, or demographic similarities. They’re initially based on aggregate assumptions that are enriched and substantiated with insights from the investigation.

Added value​

Different key groups of actors have different needs, experiences, and expectations that can be empathetically highlighted through Persona Profiles. Profiles of extreme or marginal actors support the development of solution concepts that are of value to a wide range of users.

The term persona is derived from ancient Greek theater. Here, the persona was a mask worn by players to underpin their role and serve as a mouthpiece. Today, a persona is a mouthpiece for a certain type of user.

Persona Profile

Work sheet

30 – 180 minutes

Procedure​

  1. Define groups of actors in the organization and in society to be illustrated based on personas. Select at least three distinctive key or marginal groups.

  2. Have investigation data ready according to the selection. Make artifacts, key images, quotes, screenshots easily accessible to everyone. Transfer template into a large format for each actor group, e.g. on two flipcharts. When developing the Persona Profiles, work in parallel in small groups if necessary.

  3. Start by answering the question “What am I like?”. Use presorted data from the field investigation for inspiration. Write down answers on sticky notes and condense them into striking statements for each question. Based on this, answer the questions in the area “Who am I?”. Put a face to the data: round off the process with a drawing or collage.

  4. Check whether the profile is realistic or feels too contrived. The most common pitfall in creating Persona Profiles is making idealizations that don’t reflect reality. Ask colleagues who have real-life contact with the groups in question to see what they think. Adapt Persona Profiles accordingly.

  5. Document outcomes. Personas are highly memorable because of their background stories and distinctive behavioral patterns. For this reason, the recommendation is to use them not just for the concept prototype but to communicate them physically or digitally within the organization, too.

Concept Prototypes​

Method
Concept Prototypes

What is it and what purpose does it serve?​

Concept Prototypes enable simple and cost-effective implementation of the core idea to be validated. This can be a visualized process, a simple drawing, or even a physically tangible object such as a paper prototype.

Added value​

This allows the solution to be experienced at first hand. By having actors interact with the prototype in a usage context, problems can be identified early on and be fixed before money is spent on implementation. In addition, this approach often reveals aspects of the idea that were previously unknown or had not been thought of. As a result, valuable information can be collected on how to refine the idea and add what was previously lacking.

Studies on user experience show that changes in the product development process in the early stages are about 100 times more beneficial than changes made at later stages. Prototyping is particularly relevant to public administration when it comes to promoting targeted developments that are funded with public money.

Concept Prototypes

Work sheet

30 – 120 minutes

Procedure​

  1. Sift test base together. The aim is to convey the mechanism and value at the core of the idea. Which concept prototypes or combinations are best suited to achieving this? Select one or more formats:

  • Storyboard – Visualization in scenes: illustration and brief description of the main events relating to the envisaged solution.

  • Chain of experience – Process description with touch points: individual steps before, during and after the interaction with the solution are captured in detail from the persona’s perspective.

  • Paper prototype – Sketch of an object that belongs to the solution: simply constructed object that brings the new interaction to life.

  1. Have Persona Profiles ready. In what situation would they encounter the solution? What would their reaction be? Create storyboard and/or chain of experience to describe context and usage. If applicable, the description of the solution should include a medium or object that can be made as a paper prototype.

  2. Have material ready. How can this medium or object be recreated from the materials at hand so as to enable a first-hand experience? Make paper prototype. Example: An illustrated software interface as a click dummy. Make different variants. Select the best one for interaction in the test.

  3. Check concept prototypes for consistency. Does this clearly convey the experience with the solution, including the value it offers?

    If necessary, repeat Steps 2 and 3.