60-Minute Prototype Workflow

Timeline Overview

Minutes  Block              Activity
0-5      Setup              Define success, gather context
5-15     Design             Create wireframe/mock
15-30    Build              Tool or clickthrough
30-45    Test               Use it, break it, refine
45-55    Iterate            One quick fix
55-60    Present            Demo & next steps

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Stage 1: Setup (0-5 minutes)

Define Success

• What problem does this solve?
• Who is the user and what do they do?
• How will you know if it works? (One key metric or behavior)

AI Prompt

I'm prototyping [feature description].
Success looks like: [describe the outcome]
Build for: [user type and their context]
Give me a simple wireframe outline.

Decision Point: Is the scope realistic for 60 min? If not, descope.

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Stage 2: Design (5-15 minutes)

Create a wireframe (hand-draw or use AI to generate ASCII art)

AI Prompt

Create an ASCII wireframe for [feature].
User flow: [describe steps]
Key elements: [list what must be on screen]
Keep it simple and annotated.

Output: Wireframe sketch + user flow notes

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Stage 3: Build (15-30 minutes)

Tool depends on your prototype:

• Figma for visual design (10 min mockup)
• Docs/Slides for interactive clickthrough
• Google Sheets for data workflow
• Simple HTML/CSS for web
• Loom/ScreenFlow for walkthrough video

Key Rule: Fake it till you make it. Use placeholder content. Links don't need to work.

AI Prompt (if needed)

Generate [HTML/CSS/pseudo-code] for:
[paste your wireframe]
Style: clean and minimal
This is a prototype, so it's okay if it's rough.

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Stage 4: Test (30-45 minutes)

Use It Yourself

• Follow the user flow you designed
• Can a first-time user understand it?
• Does it feel fast or clunky?
• Are there confusing moments?

Break It

• Try edge cases (what if there's no data?)
• What happens on mobile or slow connection?
• Try extreme inputs

Document Issues

• Note 3 biggest friction points
• Rate each: cosmetic / nice-to-have / blocking

Decision Points

• Does it solve the problem? (Yes → move forward)
• Too complex? (Descope → remove features)
• Missing something critical? (Add it if <5 min)

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Stage 5: Iterate (45-55 minutes)

Pick ONE fix (not three)

• Biggest blocker from testing
• Takes <5 minutes to implement

AI Prompt (if you're stuck)

I tested this and got stuck on: [describe the issue]
Quick fix ideas?

Then iterate once. Don't try to polish everything.

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Stage 6: Present (55-60 minutes)

Ship It Checklist

• Take a screenshot or recording
• Write the one-sentence problem it solves
• List what you tested
• Note the #1 thing to improve next
• List unknowns (what you didn't test)

Demo Script (2 minutes)

Problem: [1 sentence]
Solution: [1 sentence]
How it works: [walkthrough, 30 seconds]
Next steps: [what we learned, what to build next]

Share with team in Slack or scheduled meeting

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Success Criteria

✓ Did you learn something? ✓ Does the team understand the idea now? ✓ Did you validate or invalidate an assumption?

If yes to all three: prototype worked.