ISO IEC TR 14759-1999 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC TR 14759:1999 — Software engineering — Mock up and prototype — A categorization of software mock-up and prototype models and their use. This technical report defines a classification of software mock-up and prototype types and gives guidance on their selection and practical use in the software engineering lifecycle.

Abstract

Provides a concise taxonomy of mock-ups and prototypes used in software development (from low-fidelity sketches and paper mock-ups to interactive and functional prototypes), discusses typical objectives and limits for each category, and offers guidance on when and how to apply them during requirements, design and validation activities. Intended as informative guidance rather than mandatory requirements.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / cancelled.
• Publication date: November 1999 (1999-11).
• Publisher: ISO and IEC (ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7).
• ICS / categories: 35.080 (Software engineering).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1999).
• Number of pages: 12 pages.

Official record shows ISO/IEC TR 14759:1999 published November 1999 and later withdrawn; bibliographic and lifecycle details are recorded in ISO/IEC publication records and the IEC/ISO webstores.

Scope

Describes the scope as an informative technical report to classify the range of software mock-ups and prototypes, explain their purposes (e.g., requirements elicitation, user feedback, usability testing, design validation, risk reduction) and provide guidance on selecting the appropriate mock-up/prototype type for specific project goals and stages of the software lifecycle. The report is advisory and does not define mandatory processes.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and terminology for mock-ups and prototypes (low-fidelity to high-fidelity; throwaway vs evolutionary prototypes).
• Classification scheme grouping prototype types by fidelity, interactivity, purpose and technical backing.
• Guidance on objectives for using mock-ups/prototypes (requirements clarification, stakeholder communication, usability testing, proof-of-concept).
• Recommended practices for selecting prototype types based on project phase, resources and evaluation goals.
• Notes on limitations, risks (e.g., stakeholder misinterpretation of prototype fidelity) and recommended mitigation.

Typical use and users

Used as informative guidance by software engineers, UX and interaction designers, requirements analysts, project managers, quality engineers and systems engineers to choose and apply mock-up and prototyping techniques during requirements capture, design, validation and early user testing. Also useful to educators and standards practitioners as a reference taxonomy.

Related standards

Commonly referenced alongside other ISO/IEC software and systems engineering standards produced by JTC 1/SC 7, for example standards on software lifecycle processes, requirements and quality assessment (examples include ISO/IEC 12207, ISO/IEC 15288, ISO/IEC 25010 and associated guidance documents). Users should consult current editions of those standards for process and product requirements.

Keywords

mock-up, prototype, prototyping, software engineering, taxonomy, usability, requirements elicitation, low-fidelity, high-fidelity, throwaway prototype, evolutionary prototype.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: A technical report (ISO/IEC TR 14759:1999) that provides a categorization and practical guidance for software mock-ups and prototypes; it is informative rather than a prescriptive/mandatory standard.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions, a classification scheme for mock-ups and prototypes (by fidelity, interactivity and purpose), recommended uses for different project stages, and cautions about common risks when prototyping.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Software developers, UX designers, requirements engineers, project managers, QA and systems engineers — anyone involved in early design, stakeholder communication, usability testing or requirements validation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/IEC TR 14759:1999 was published in November 1999 and has been withdrawn (the record shows withdrawal in official lifecycle data). It is not an active current standard; users should consult more recent ISO/IEC publications and current guidance from ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7 for up-to-date normative requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a Technical Report produced under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7 (software and systems engineering). It is an individual TR rather than a numbered series entry, but it sits conceptually within the family of ISO/IEC software engineering standards and guidance documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Mock-up, prototype, prototyping, fidelity, usability testing, requirements elicitation, throwaway prototype, evolutionary prototype, software engineering.