Prototyping and Testing Flashcards
6 cards from real 3D Product practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Prototyping and Testing flashcards as text
What is a 'proof-of-concept' prototype and what stage of development does it represent?
Answer: An early, low-fidelity model that tests whether a core technology or mechanism is feasible
A proof-of-concept prototype tests a specific technical hypothesis or functionality — it may look nothing like the final product but confirms key feasibility.
What is a 'works-like/looks-like' prototype in product development?
Answer: A prototype that combines accurate appearance with functional mechanisms to simulate the full user experience
A works-like/looks-like prototype integrates both the visual appearance and the functional performance of the product, used for final user validation before tooling release.
What is 'user testing' in the product development process?
Answer: Structured observation and feedback sessions where target users interact with prototypes to reveal usability issues
User testing gathers qualitative and quantitative data on how real users interact with prototypes, identifying pain points, confusion, and unmet needs before finalizing the design.
What is 'drop testing' used to evaluate in consumer product design?
Answer: The product's ability to survive accidental drops from a specified height onto a defined surface
Drop testing simulates real-world accidental drops to verify that a product's housing, display, and internal components survive without functional damage.
What does 'EVT, DVT, PVT' stand for in the hardware product development process?
Answer: Engineering Verification Test, Design Verification Test, Production Verification Test — sequential validation phases
EVT validates the engineering concept, DVT confirms the final design meets all specifications, and PVT validates the production line can consistently produce passing units.
What is 'HALT' (Highly Accelerated Life Testing) used for in product reliability testing?
Answer: Exposing products to extreme stresses (temperature, vibration) beyond spec to find latent failure modes quickly
HALT deliberately overstresses products to rapidly precipitate failure modes, allowing designers to fix weak points before they manifest in field failures.