[IxDA Discuss] Axure RP Pro prototyping tool

[Jay Morgan]

we reviewed Axure RP, Serena's ProcessView Composer, and iRise in a
side-by-side comparison.  we were picking a prototyping tool for people of
various skills to use in prototyping and requirements definition.  we chose
iRise.

Axure seemed like animated Visio with constraints like George mentioned
above.  Also, Axure didn't give us the ability to use data to simulate
transactions for our site, which is a requirement for usability testing
our work.  It seems there are a few ways to get more out of Visio with
add-ons and stencils, that would be just as good if not better than Axure.
I'm uncertain on that, but I would stick with Visio and our other internal
prototyping tools/methods over Axure.

To make something clear about all of these tools:  The requirements document
generators are mostly hype.  All three have different approaches, and it
seems the users typically don't use them.  George described Axure above.
Serena tries to sell other Serena apps to complement PVC for requirements.
iRise's version is pretty good, but you still have to be
sufficiently disciplined and staffed to maintain those documents.   For
instance, if you document features, then change them, does the application
track the change and update the requirements document?  What is the output
format?  Who is going to use it?  Does that intended audience use something
like that document now?  You end up streamlining your requirements
documentation a lot when you have more deadlines than daydreams.

I hope you focus on what your needs are.  That's what we did, and are quite
happy with our choice.  It was expensive and took a long time, but it's
worth it to have our needs met.

(I must note:  describing iRise as a WYSIWYG is like describing a Porsche as
a vehicle.  You will experience sticker shock.  You might be very impressed
with its performance, too.)

Good luck.


On 5/10/06, Christian Sosa-Lanz <public at yellowmobile.com> wrote:
>
> [Please voluntarily trim replies to include only relevant quoted
> material.]
>
> Another tool to consider is iRise. It's a fully WYSIWYG simulation
> tool that allows you to connect logic, without any coding. So you can
> simulate a login page that, depending on the user's 'permission',
> they are taken to page A, B or C. Mock data can then be displayed and
> updated per the interaction. So it all works as if were a coded
> prototype. Additionally, and this is big, you can write your
> documentation along side your simulation. This may be narrative and/
> or requirements that developers needs to follow.
>
> The Studio portion, where you create simulations, is sold with the
> Shared Server. This allows you to work on your project in a truly
> collaborative environment. So multiple people can work at the same
> time without checking out or handing off. And finally the iRise
> Reader (free download) allows you send the project as a single file
> with documentation to people for review. They can add their feedback
> and email it back to you where you then import the notes into your
> project.
>
> This is an enterprise software so it will definitely require getting
> the big wigs involved.
>
> Christian Sosa-Lanz
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-- 
_________________________________
Jay A. Morgan
jayamorgan at gmail.com