Prototyping is a vital stage in the product design and development process. It is the process of creating a preliminary model or sample of a product to test its design and functionality. Synonyms for prototyping include model testing, mock-up development, or prototype building. Other synonyms include experimentation, trial and error, or creation of a preliminary version. Another word that can be used is piloting, which encapsulates the notion of testing ideas before they are fully implemented. No matter which word is used, prototyping is a crucial phase in the product development process, as it allows designers to test and refine their ideas before proceeding with full-scale production.