What it means
A prototype makes an idea easier to examine before the full system is built. It may be a sketch, a linked set of screens or a small interactive example. Its purpose is to test particular questions, such as the order of a form or the clarity of a workflow. It may use sample data and incomplete behaviour.
Why it matters to your business
People often notice missing steps when they can try a concrete example. Reviewing a prototype can clarify requirements while changes are still relatively contained. The team should state what the prototype demonstrates and which security, data, integration and operational work is still needed for production.
Finding a missing approval step
A team tries a prototype of a job-request form. During the walkthrough, they notice that requests above a certain value need approval before assignment. That rule can be discussed and included in the agreed flow before development has connected real accounts or data.
Questions worth asking
Is the prototype already the finished application?
A convincing screen can still use simulated data or actions. Confirm which parts are implemented, what remains to be built and how the final version will be tested and accepted.
What feedback is most useful?
Explain what a user is trying to do, where the proposed flow becomes unclear and what information is missing. Record decisions against the project scope so that a visual comment and a new functional requirement are handled appropriately.