​​Service Prototyping on Digital Platforms​

Service prototyping is a hands-on method for brainstorming and immediate [...]

  • 120min
  • free
  • 20+
  • English, Finnish

Description

Service prototyping is a hands-on method for brainstorming and immediate experimentation with services and solutions. In this method, the service or solution being developed is iterated through experimentation, meaning that a prototype version is created or built during the ideation phase itself. A clear advantage is that the proposed solution is immediately tangible, and participants can instantly see what the solution looks like and how it would work. In addition to service prototyping, any kind of drama or theatre method can be used to illustrate a new service or another intangible solution. 

Method & Activity Information.

  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Session location: Physical
  • Test date: 12/03/2025
  • Duration: 120min
  • Costs: free
  • Materials used: None
  • Youth participated:
  • Registration: required

Case Description

In our case in eastern Finland in the city of Imatra, we used service prototyping to create new communication solutions for improving communication between the city and local young people. Opinions and ideas had been collected earlier from the youth and they had pointed out that the most important communication channel would be social media channels. Also, info screens at schools were noted as very potential channel to inform the youth what is happening in the city. 

Method Usage

A service prototype can be built on a digital platform suitable for the specific needs at hand, depending on whether an image, video, broader participant engagement, content sharing, etc., is required. In this experiment, service prototypes were created on social media channels Instagram and Snapchat because the communication solutions between the youth and the city were ideated. A major advantage was that the communication ideas were created directly on the right platforms, making the results authentic and true to form. 

Method & Activity Feedback

​​⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy: This tool is user-friendly and straightforward to set up. Most users can start using it with minimal guidance. It integrates well with other systems and has intuitive features.​

Facilitator

Category

Likert-7 AVG

Description

Observer

Category

Likert-7 AVG

Description

Participant Experience

Category

Likert-7 AVG

Description

  • Enjoyment

    4.5

  • Usability

    4.5

  • Learnability

    4.3

  • Recommendation score

    4.5

Positive

Service prototyping is very concrete and practical method when ideating new services or another immaterial solutions. You can see the results and even more importantly, you can immediately try and test the new solution! 

Negative

Service prototyping requires creativity and little bit skills. You need to invest time on one idea to get an end result, service prototype. 

Suggestions & tips

Any kind of drama or theatre method can be used to prototype new service or other intangible solutions! 

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