Final answer:
Proof-of-concept prototypes are used to market proposed systems by demonstrating their features and potential benefits, which is essential for gaining support from users and management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prototypes are developed and used by teams to not only test and refine a design but also to demonstrate the potential and functionality of a proposed system to users and management. The types of prototypes designed for showcasing and marketing a system's features and demonstrating its potential benefits to an organization are referred to as proof-of-concept prototypes. These prototypes are essential during the development phase as they help in communicating the feasibility and the value of the system to stakeholders before moving forward with a full-scale development.
In the design process, after brainstorming alternative solutions and selecting a viable concept, a team moves on to elaborate on the details. The design may undergo several iterations where prototypes are tested and evaluated for weaknesses and possible improvements, ensuring that it meets all design criteria and constraints. This iterative process reflects a spiral design approach, where feedback from testing leads to refinements or, sometimes, a return to the concept generation stage if the constraints aren't met.
Summarizing, proof-of-concept prototypes are a crucial step in the design process, serving both as a tool for evaluation and as a means to promote understanding and buy-in from stakeholders for the proposed system.