In the prototyping phase, you build a simple version of your solution from the validated solution idea and gather real experience from the target group. This is where you learn how to develop a functioning prototype and measure your impact early on using a key metric.
You’ve come to the right place if …
- you want to found an impact startup or are already in the middle of it with your team.
- you know your target group exactly.
- you can clearly name the problem, the solution and the impact.
- you have all the resources to develop a prototype.
Not quite ready yet?
Then select the appropriate chapter here
This chapter helps to …
- to develop a functional prototype.
- find the One Metric That Matters (OMTM) for the early impact measurement of your project.
This is about the target group that will benefit from your solution. In other words, the focus is on making the solution more effective and socially relevant .
We deal with the business-oriented and financial area here.
Build a simple prototype
For your first prototype, you should focus on the core functions that solve the main problem of your target group. You can proceed as follows:
1. identifies the most important core functions
Determine the most important functions that solve the main problem of your target group. This could be the functions of specific services such as personal support or the content of a workshop or a specific project, e.g. tools.
2. build the simplest version of your solution first
Start with the simplest version of your solution and then continue to develop it. It does not have to be perfect or already contain all the details. It is initially about a rough representation of the solution. This is your low fidelity prototype. Here are some common examples of prototypes:
- Landing page: Develop a simple website that presents your solution. If possible, integrate call-to-actions to which the test persons can react and conversion tracking to measure these reactions.
- Physical products: Use simple materials such as paper, cardboard or Lego bricks to visualize your solution. Play through the solution with your test subjects (e.g. in the form of focus groups) and record the feedback.
- Software: Create wireframes or clickable mockups. Let your test persons try out the mockups and observe them.
- Services: Use simple representations, e.g. through role plays or mockups. A service blueprint is also a good visual tool for mapping your solution in detail. It includes the most important processes, points of contact with the target group and the planned impact. Various tools such as Miro, Mural, Canva or Figma are suitable for visualization. Observe how your target group interacts in the role play and write down your findings.
Find key metrics for early impact measurement at level 5 of the impact ladder
At this point, it is important that you have already created an impact staircase for your project. If not, it’s best to do so now. We explain how to build an impact staircase in the chapter “Solution design: Finding a solution that creates impact for your startup”.
1. focus on the outcomes
Choose a metric that is at level 5 of your impact ladder and has a direct, measurable influence on your main objective. In addition to the impact key metric at level 5, you also measure the attractiveness and use of your solution in the next step. You can find more information on this in the chapter “Prototype in practice: Collecting feedback and measuring impact”.
Why level 5?
- Direct impact: Level 5 represents changes in the actions and behavior of the target group, which is a direct and measurable impact of your prototype
- Significance: This stage already shows concrete results, but is not yet as long-term as stage 6, which would often be too broad for a prototype
- Timely feedback loop: Changes at level 5 are more quickly recognizable than changes in the life situation of your target group at level 6, which is important for the iterative development of a prototype.
- Relevance for stakeholders: Changes in the target group’s behavior are more convincing for many stakeholders than pure output figures.
Examples of indicators at level 5 of the impact ladder:
- Frequency and quality of actions by the target group that indicate a change in behavior
- Number of participants who apply newly learned skills in their everyday lives
- Changes in the target group’s shopping habits after an intervention
- Use of preferred communication channels by the target group after training
- Changes in online behavior, such as increased interaction with certain digital content or platforms
2. uses S.M.A.R.T. criteria
Formulate your One Metric That Matters (OMTM) so that it meets the S.M.A.R.T. criteria.
- Specific: must be clearly defined and unambiguous.
- Measurable: must be quantifiable.
- Attractive: must be relevant to your goal.
- Realistic: must be achievable with your available resources.
- Scheduled: must be limited in time. Sets a time frame of two to four months.
3. prepare the measurement of your key metric
Implement a measurement system so that you can measure your key metrics accurately and regularly. Define a baseline — a starting value that serves as a reference point to compare the state before and after your measures (e.g. number of people with awareness of the importance of healthy eating or with skills in stress resilience). Ideally, you should establish the baseline through official statistics and not through self-assessment. This could increase the risk of impact washing.
Set specific target values so that you can precisely track the progress you are making in the prototyping phase. Remember: impact orientation is an iterative process — have the confidence to make adjustments and learn continuously!
Next chapter: Obtaining feedback
You’ve done it! You have developed a first prototype and defined the key metrics for an initial impact measurement.
In the next chapter you can check both by collecting feedback from the target group and gathering initial data on the outcome. In this way, you will learn where there is room for improvement.