[Sigia-l] Research then prototype OR prototype then gather user feedback

[Trenouth, John]

I'm interested in hearing people's experiences with two different
approaches to design (whether it's a product, service, information, what
have you).

Is it better to start a project by:

1.  Studying users' workflows, environments, experienced, etc., and then
develop prototypes based on this knowledge  

OR

2. Just putting something together based on what the organization
already knows, and then bring it to users in order to gather their
feedback on what you have.

The first option is a proactive approach that progresses through
knowledge and insight, while the second is a reactive approach that
progresses through constant course corrections.

Obviously over the course of any project there is a little of both,
however to start of a project it's an either or choice.  What are your
experiences with this choice?


-- john trenouth