In many discussions with engineering colleagues, a design already exists in a CAD model and the issue has already been identified. 💻📐 However, the first prototype has not yet been created.

Why? 🤔

Two concerns appear simultaneously.

• First, there is the concern over spending money on a part that does not work. 💸⚙️
• Secondly, there is concern over how the prototype will negatively reflect on the team.

Consequently, teams continue to have discussions, run simulations, conduct internal reviews, and iterate in CAD – however, the answer to their question is what would have been discovered the fastest with the creation of a prototype.

The actual validation of a design happens when the team can physically touch the prototype, conduct physical tests, and integrate the prototype into the assembly.

Once they can do this, their uncertainty disappears. The design becomes tangible, and thus all design problems become apparent – and ultimately, the solutions become obvious.

After the first prototype, teams typically experience no hesitation, and their level of confidence increases exponentially. 📈🚀

The greatest impediment to innovation is rarely a byproduct of technology, but rather simply taking the first step.