Using Prototypes and MVPs as Communication Tools

Introduction

Sometimes the best way to communicate is not through words but through tangible artifacts. Prototypes and MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) enable shared understanding in ways that specifications never can—showing rather than telling, creating concrete feedback opportunities, and aligning vision through interaction.

Why This Skill Matters

Abstract discussions lead to misalignment—everyone imagines something different. Prototypes and MVPs create shared understanding, surface misalignment early, enable specific feedback, and build excitement for the vision in ways that documents cannot.

Core Principles

1. Show, don't just tell - Build to communicate
2. Match fidelity to purpose - Rough for exploration, polished for validation
3. Frame appropriately - "This is to test concept X, ignore Y"
4. Use to surface misalignment - Better to discover differences early
5. Iterate based on feedback - Build, show, learn, adjust
6. Build confidence - Makes abstract vision concrete
7. Focus on key questions - What are you trying to learn?

Good Examples

Using clickable prototype for alignment:

"Before we invest in full development, I've created a clickable prototype that shows the core user flow. This took 3 hours instead of 3 weeks of development. Let's walk through it together so we can confirm we're aligned on the approach before building it for real. Focus on: Does the flow make sense? Is anything missing? Ignore visual design for now."

Using MVP to validate concept:

"Rather than building all 10 features, I propose we build an MVP with the core 3 features and launch to 100 beta users. This lets us validate whether we're solving the right problem before investing in the full vision. We'll learn in 4 weeks what we'd otherwise guess at for 6 months."

Tips

1. Use prototypes early to align on approach
2. Match fidelity to stage: sketches → wireframes → clickable prototypes → code
3. Frame what you're testing: "Ignore colors, focus on flow"
4. Use MVPs to validate assumptions with real users
5. Build smallest thing that tests the key question
6. Get feedback on prototypes before full development
7. Show, don't email—walk through together when possible
8. Iterate quickly based on feedback

Connection to Other Skills

Combines presenting WIP, framing appropriately, facilitating feedback, managing expectations, bridging vision and reality, validating assumptions, and building confidence through tangible progress.

Action Items

• Next project: Create prototype before full development
• Learn prototyping tools: Figma, InVision, or code-based prototypes
• Practice framing: "This tests X, ignore Y for now"
• Use MVPs to validate risky assumptions before full build
• Walk through prototypes with clients—observe reactions
• Iterate based on feedback before committing to full development