This thesis investigates how different prototyping techniques and compositions of groups can influence discussions about
design and therefore function as structuring resources for the discussion. This thesis widens the conception of prototypes to
include more than the issues that have been discussed in previous research: medium, wealth of details and closeness to the
final product.
Data has been collected through six focus groups where three different groups (within different parts of one organization;
users at client, users at system supplier, and systems developers at supplier) have discussed the design with the help of the
different prototyping techniques (sketches, scenarios and dynamic computer prototypes).
The discussions where analyzed in terms of domains for interaction design and different aspects of the system in use.
The main conclusions of this thesis are that prototyping techniques influence which domains and aspects are discussed.
Therefore the designer can choose prototyping technique depending on what he or she wants to discuss about the design.
The sketches provides the most complete discussion, while scenarios works best with those that are not knowledgeable
about IT-systems and then the discussion deals with structure and function. The computer prototype is best suited for
discussing interaction and presentation. But the composition of the group has more influence on the discussion than the
choice of prototyping technique. Therefore the conclusion is drawn that it is important that the designer knows his or her
audience and adjusts the choice of prototyping technique to the composition of the group.