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Why it matters
Why it matters
Before building out a solution entirely, it is important to test it out by prototyping, or drafting an initial design and soliciting feedback from relevant stakeholders. This strategy helps gain insight into how the solution might work in practice and how it relates to project goals and assets on hand. Prototyping allows teams to evaluate feasibility before the product or process has been built, and helps identify what data, tools, and resources are readily available for use, as well as what needs to be procured.
Checklist
Checklist
Start the rapid prototyping process by sketching out a potential solution as a team utilizing low-to-high fidelity mock-ups.
Review the prototype by gathering feedback from relevant stakeholders previously identified through a stakeholder landscape analysis.
Incorporate feedback into the design of the prototype and repeat the process to further refine the solution. Conclude when goals are achieved or resources are depleted. The number of iterations necessary is dependent upon the project. Iteration lengths typically vary from two weeks to one month, but teams should aim for a minimum of two iterations.
Identify and document technical tools and platforms that will support your project work. They are necessary for collecting, integrating, and analyzing data across systems.
Conduct a data audit to understand the available data assets.
Document specific data fields in disparate data systems critical to the success of the project.
Key Questions
Key Questions
Is the solution prototype usable? Accessible? Feasible? Desirable? Useful? What are the technical tools or software you will use for this project?
Do tools or platforms already exist that can be leveraged to test your solution? Do you need to go through a procurement process?
What technical skills are needed to maintain the project?
What data is available, suitable, and accessible to your team? Is there a data inventory or data catalogue that captures where the data lives, who owns it, and how frequently it’s updated?
Tools + Resources
Tools + Resources
Prototype Examples (New Practice Lab)
Foundation of a Successful Data Project: Agile Rapid Prototyping (Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation)
Sharing Data for Social Impact: Guidebook to Establishing Responsible Governance Practices (Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation)
About the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation
About the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation
The Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University seeks to improve people’s daily lives by helping governments utilize data, design, technology, and policy to better meet the needs of their residents. An anchor of Georgetown University’s Tech and Society Initiative, the Beeck Center works alongside public, private, and non-profit organizations to identify and establish human-centered solutions that help government services work better for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and underserved populations.
About the national governors association
About the national governors association
The National Governors Association is the voice of the leaders of 55 states, territories, and commonwealths and supports governors in their work to develop innovative solutions to today’s problems. Through the NGA Center for Best Practices, Governors work with policy teams to identify priority issues and deal with matters of public policy and governance at the state, national and global levels.
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