--- title: The Art of Experimentation - A Hierarchy of Prototypes description: The Art of Experimentation - A Hierarchy of Prototypes --- [![Peer Insight](https://blog.peerinsight.com/hubfs/PeerInsight_September2019/Images/peerinsight_logo_white.png)](https://peerinsight.com/) - [ABOUT](https://peerinsight.com/about/) - [SERVICES](https://peerinsight.com/services/) - [TOOLKIT](https://peerinsight.com/toolkit/) - [BLOG](https://peerinsight.com/blog/) - [TEAM](https://peerinsight.com/team/) - [CAREERS](https://peerinsight.com/career/) - [CONTACT](https://peerinsight.com/contact/) [![Peer Insight](https://blog.peerinsight.com/hubfs/PeerInsight_September2019/Images/peerinsight_logo_white.png)](https://peerinsight.com/) - [ABOUT](https://peerinsight.com/about/) - [SERVICES](https://peerinsight.com/services/) - [TOOLKIT](https://peerinsight.com/toolkit/) - [BLOG](https://peerinsight.com/blog/) - [TEAM](https://peerinsight.com/team/) - [CAREERS](https://peerinsight.com/career/) - [CONTACT](https://peerinsight.com/contact/) # The Art of Experimentation - A Hierarchy of Prototypes by [Clay Maxwell](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/author/clay-maxwell) | [design research](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/design-research), [design strategy](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/design-strategy), [design thinking](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/design-thinking), [DIY Templates & Tools](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/diy), [experimentation](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/experimentation), [innovation strategy](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/innovation-strategy), [MVP](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/mvp), [pilot testing](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/pilot-testing), [Product and Service Development](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/product-and-service-development), [prototyping](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/prototyping), [alpha](https://blog.peerinsight.com/blog/tag/alpha) When asked, “What’s the background of your team?” in addition to “incredibly diverse” I’ll say, “At the end of the day, everyone on our team is a brilliant designer of experiments.” That is, they’re more than problem-solving consultants and/or generative designers, they are nimble explorers and adept survivalists. ***They know how to hunt, gather, and find fertile ground. *** ![prototypes.JPG](https://blog.peerinsight.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/prototypes.jpg) That's the fundamental polymathy that successful innovation and entrepreneurship requires. In pursuit of this, we employ a myriad of tools and techniques to architect and execute experiments. The images above lay out a basic hierarchy of prototypes we leverage in the course of our work. We use a governing principle implied in the y-axis to choose the right tool for the job - "what's the lowest level of fidelity that will return the necessary learnings?" What do you think? What would you add? - Clay Maxwell, Managing Partner, PI + [PI Ventures](https://peerinsight.com/ventures/), San Francisco # About Us Peer Insight helps organizations ignite growth by uniting design, business, and entrepreneurship. [info@peerinsight.com](mailto:info@peerinsight.com) ![VOSB](https://blog.peerinsight.com/hubfs/PeerInsight_September2019/Images/vet-owned-300x300.png) # Find Us **Washington, D.C.** 717 D Street NW 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20004 (202) 506-3804 **San Francisco** 595 Pacific Ave 4th floor San Francisco, CA 94133 (336) 430-5403 # Get in Touch For project inquiries, contact [Clay Maxwell](mailto:cmaxwell@peerinsight.com) or [Tim Ogilvie](mailto:togilvie@peerinsight.com) For media inquiries, contact [Natalie Foley](mailto:nfoley@peerinsight.com) We respect your privacy. - [Privacy Policy |](https://peerinsight.com/privacy-policy/) - [ Terms & Conditions](https://peerinsight.com/terms-and-conditions/) - - -