PrototypesHave

PrototypesHave is a term used in design, engineering, and product development to describe a practice and philosophy of treating prototypes as core, reusable artifacts throughout the product lifecycle. It emphasizes that prototypes are not discarded after a single test but are stored, versioned, and referenced to inform decisions, share knowledge, and accelerate iteration.

The term appears as a coined concept in discussions of prototyping methodologies, signaling a shift from disposable experiments toward a system where prototypes contribute to ongoing understanding and planning. The name itself suggests a ongoing possession or availability of prototype work as a living resource.

Core principles of PrototypesHave include version control, centralized access, and clear documentation for each artifact. Prototypes are labeled by purpose, fidelity, and learning outcomes, enabling cross-functional teams to locate relevant models quickly. Reuse across projects and stages is encouraged, with decisions and learnings explicitly linked to each prototype.

In practice, PrototypesHave involves maintaining lightweight representations (paper, mock, or interactive models) alongside more mature builds in a shared repository. Teams tag prototypes by goals such as feasibility, usability, or API compatibility, and integrate feedback loops to keep artifacts current. Governance ensures that prototype data remains discoverable and that obsolete items are archived appropriately.

Benefits of adopting PrototypesHave include faster feedback cycles, reduced risk through shared learning, and better traceability of design decisions. Potential challenges involve balancing fidelity with portability and ensuring prototypes do not unduly constrain future innovation.

See also: prototyping, rapid prototyping, design thinking, version control.