Preparing the Prototype - Paper Prototyping: The Fast and Easy Way to Define and Refine User Interfaces - page 110

Chapter 7: Preparing the Prototype
This chapter explains how to create a paper prototype and prepare for usability testing by doing
walkthroughs. The prototype creation and walkthrough activities happen iteratively—make some
prototype pieces, do a walkthrough, figure out what's wrong or missing, and repeat. There are no hard
and fast rules for how long to spend on each iteration, but as noted in Chapter 5 this process typically
takes a total of 2 or 3 days, perhaps spread out over a couple of weeks.
List the Pieces Needed for the Tasks
Make a list on a whiteboard or flip chart of all the screens your prototype will need to support the tasks
you've created—the steps from your completed task templates are a good starting point. Keep the list
fairly high-level; you don't need to specify every menu or drop-down list because the person making a
screen is responsible for its details. For example, the task of opening a retirement account at a financial
Web site might require the following screens:
Browser window with controls
Home page
Existing user log-in
Create new account screen(s)
Regular/Roth IRA explanation
Account summary
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions
Retirement savings calculator
Mutual fund screener
The list doesn't have to be in any particular order because it's just for your benefit in identifying what to
prepare. It's usually fastest to create this list without looking at the existing interface, if there is one;
otherwise you risk digressing into a discussion of the current design.