Comparative evaluation of competing technologies through rapid prototyping

A major difficulty often experienced by multidisciplinary teams, particularly between scientific and design led approaches, is how to resolve the conflict which arises between competing ideas, in order to facilitate the most efficient path towards a successful technological innovation. This project has attempted to demonstrate the vital role which agile innovation, made possible only through rapid prototyping, can optimise two competing technologies in-order that they can be tested and evaluated across a spectrum of qualitative and quantitative parameters. The results of which can enable the wider project team to select the correct path forward. A systematic review of literature revealed that design literature in this space is limited, with few real-world case studies conducted in this area. This research provides a valuable practical case study which shows agile innovation in action and the critical role which rapid prototype plays in that process. A multi-category matrix was newly created, providing metrics for both qualitative and quantitative data, and which uses a colour-coded scoring system to give a detailed and overall rating for each technology. The findings were controversial, but unequivocal, and could have a major impact on the development of the wider project going forward.