In prototype development, what is emphasized over functional requirements?

In prototype development, user satisfaction is the primary focus, as the goal is to quickly gather user feedback and refine the application based on real-user interactions and preferences. Prototyping emphasizes creating a visual or functional representation of the product that allows users to interact with it early in the development process. This interaction helps to identify what users find valuable or necessary, leading to improved design choices that align with their needs and expectations.

Reliability and security, while important in software development, are often more closely associated with the final product and its operational qualities rather than with the iterative exploration that prototype development emphasizes. Cost-effectiveness and design aesthetics are significant factors, but they typically come into play after establishing user satisfaction and ensuring that the product meets user needs. Thus, the emphasis in prototype development is fundamentally about creating solutions that users will engage with and appreciate, honing in on their satisfaction as the development progresses.