Final answer:
Effective prototype testing allows firms to identify and refine potential design issues, save costs and ensure the product meets customer expectations before full-scale production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Through the effective use of prototype testing, firms may be able to avoid the high costs of product development for product ideas that do not meet customers' expectations. Prototyping involves creating an initial model of a product to test various aspects of its design, such as its performance, durability, and user experience. The testing and evaluation phase is crucial as it reveals both the strengths and weaknesses of the prototype and can save the company from investing further in a flawed concept. If a prototype does not meet the necessary criteria or constraints, engineers must go back to the drawing board to generate and select another design concept. By refining the prototype based on feedback from testing, firms enhance the chances of a product's success in the market and minimize the likelihood of costly failures.