Prototyping is the Design Verification phase of Product Development because it demonstrates or proves the design. Think of a Prototype as simply taking a design from the virtual, imaginary realm into the physical world. Of course there are lots of reasons we want to touch and feel and try our new widget, and a prototype is the way to do that. But, there are some specific reasons to prototype. Some of the most common are:

• Display or Show the new product — maybe at a show or for investors
• Test an idea to see if it really works
• Test the design to see if it passes certain requirements
• Use it to evaluate where improvements are necessary
• Get customer feedback