Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Organizations that depend on inventory management systems are under increasing pressure to modernize, and Rapid Prototyping Techniques has emerged as one of the more promising avenues for doing so, given its demonstrated impact in related domains.

In practice, however, adoption of rapid prototyping techniques within inventory management systems has been uneven, and its actual impact on perceived usability is not yet well understood in a rigorous, evaluable way — a gap this study is positioned to address.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Existing approaches to perceived usability within inventory management systems remain largely reactive and fragmented, with little systematic use of rapid prototyping techniques despite its demonstrated value elsewhere. This study addresses the resulting gap by designing and evaluating a solution built specifically around rapid prototyping techniques.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a rapid prototyping techniques-based approach to improving perceived usability in inventory management systems.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Rapid Prototyping Techniques in enhancing perceived usability within inventory management systems.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying rapid prototyping techniques in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can rapid prototyping techniques be applied to improve perceived usability in inventory management systems?
2. How effective is Rapid Prototyping Techniques at enhancing perceived usability within inventory management systems?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying rapid prototyping techniques in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its immediate technical contribution, this study offers value to organizations evaluating whether to invest in rapid prototyping techniques for their own inventory management systems, and contributes to the broader literature on applied UI/UX design by documenting a concrete implementation and evaluation case.

1.6 Scope of the Study

As a MSc-level study, its scope is confined to designing and evaluating a rapid prototyping techniques-based solution for inventory management systems, focused specifically on perceived usability; broader deployment considerations fall outside this scope.