How to evaluate your new product design & company tips to improve prototypes

How well would you rate your new product design? Here are a few helpful tips on how to improve prototypes. It can be effortless to develop a product model, but not all designs are viable and significant enough to be launched in the market. This is what makes it essential for you to evaluate its design. Product design evaluation is one of the most critical stages of product development because there is so much more than what meets the eye.

You can carefully assess and evaluate your product idea before you introduce it to the market. We share methods for you to continue on your way to creating the best product designs ever! Evaluating the quality of a product design can sound pretty subjective, especially with its standards evolving. Overall, designs are meant to convey a message to achieve specific outcomes. Appearance in concept design is a critical factor, but that alone won’t let you know whether the model is adequate.

If you wish to deliver a leading design, it is essential to understand the elements of genuine visual communication.We share three methods that will help you evaluate product design ideas: evaluation matrix, SWOT analysis, and pass-fail evaluation.

Pass-fail evaluation method

You can apply the pass-fail evaluation method when evaluating several ideas based on a simple question of rejection or acceptance. Typically, it is the primary step before growing in-depth and will allow you to eliminate any ideas that don’t serve the basic requirements for the project, such as the target audience and budget. 

Questions on prime criteria:

• Is the idea compliant with the strategy of the company?
• Does it cater to the target audience of the company?
• Is the budget for the idea acceptable?

Even though several ideas are reviewed in this particular method, you should make it your priority to conduct accurate evaluations to ensure you don’t eliminate great ideas that can be successful. 

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Product design evaluation matrix

Any ideas that go through the pass-fail evaluation method undergo the next phase, the evaluation matrix method. The reviewer will compare the design ideas with a particular set of criteria or matrix for this specific method. These criteria can include the following:

• The potential impact of the product
• The contribution of the idea in the overall strategic outcome for the company 
• Expected budget for the application of the idea 
• Expected stakeholders 
• Timelines for implementation of the idea 

A specified score will be given to every criterion. For instance, the contribution of the idea in the strategic outcome can include the score set below:

• Score 5 – Multiple contributions in the comprehensive strategic developments of the organization 
• Score 4 – Direct contribution in 4 strategic outcomes or more
• Score 3 – Direct contribution in 3 strategic outcomes
• Score 2 – Direct contribution in 2 strategic outcomes
• Score 1 – Direct contribution in 1 strategic outcome
• Score 0 – No projected contribution in the strategic outcome 

The factors for comparison reflect the requirement of the project with the use of a scoring rate. The score measures the idea’s potential success depends on several factors. After completing the process of evaluation, an overall score number will be assigned to every concept. Every evaluator gives feedback regarding the design concept that can be used for improving it.

SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis pertains to the idea’s opportunities, threats, strengths, and weaknesses projected to the marketplace. The purpose of this type of evaluation is to extend the reviewer’s vision to assess the idea based on four factors that predict the potential success it will have in the market. 

The four factors of SWOT are:

• What are the advantages of the idea?
• In what areas will the idea succeed?
• What are the existing and current idea resources?
• How many other people might see the idea’s strength?

Questions for analyzing the vulnerabilities/weaknesses of the idea include:

• How can the design idea be improved?
• What are the things that the idea lacks when it comes to team, resources, and experience?
• What can stop the picture from being a success?
• How do other people see the picture when it comes to weaknesses?

Questions for analyzing the opportunities of the idea include:

• How will the company be able to help in the success of the concept?
• What market opportunities does the design idea have?

Questions for analyzing threats of each design idea:

• What obstacles does the idea face?
• Do the weaknesses of the idea present any threat to its success?
• What financial problems will the idea possibly encounter?

Approval and implementation

Once the idea has gone through the three methods stated above, it is ready for the implementation stage in product development, subsequently creating the wireframe for the design, a visual shape for the idea. Various reviewers will approve the wireframe, and the design can now go into a complete product development process. To help you achieve your company’s goals, the three evaluation methods stated above will assist in reviewing and keeping the product design ideas that fit well in market competency. You can utilize the evaluation methods altogether or start a sequence from the first method to the third one and even get utilized independently.

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Other ways to evaluate a product design   

You can further evaluate a product sign with the following questions:

• Is the product usable?

Pretty self-explanatory, right? However, it is essential to determine whether or not it is usable before pursuing the product’s creation. Here are some additional questions:

• Is it easy to use the heart of the application?
• Are all the points of entry straightforward?
• Will an average customer be able to understand how to start using the product?
• Is the specific copy used in your product instructive, intuitive, and helpful?
• What are the most common pitfalls, and how will you design the product to ensure that these pitfalls will never be experienced?

• Is the product credible?

When you mention credibility, it is not always about having the certifications. Appearance is key. Suppose your gold watch or custom-fitted suit doesn’t give off a stunning first impression upon your clients. Moments like this will not help you become a viable and honest business. It might only mean that you spent valuable money and time creating a product that gives no value to your customer. 

• Is the product easy to change?

There is no such thing as a perfect and flawless product design. Always expect to receive feedback from your customers, which can ultimately benefit you to make some spur-of-the-moment variations in the blink of an eye. It can be effortless to develop a product design, but not all designs are viable and good enough to be launched in the market. This is what makes it essential for you to evaluate its design. Product design evaluation is one of the most critical stages of product development.

There is so much more to your product design than what meets the eyes. For this reason, you have to carefully assess and evaluate your design before you introduce it to the market. Take note of the methods stated above and continue on your way to creating the best product designs ever!

How Cad Crowd can help

Of course, one of the best ways to succeed in your design project is to work with a talented product designer. Cad Crowd connects you with the best CAD designers and 3D modeling services in the business. Get a free quote today.