Protocol
Simulate the interaction without pretending the system exists
A human behind the prototype is not a production benchmark.
When it fits
- You need to test a proposed interaction before building its automation.
When to avoid it
- Disclosure may change behavior; concealment introduces ethical issues. Follow an approved research protocol, and never use the prototype for consequential live decisions.
Why it matters
Use a human operator to supply responses while a participant tries a bounded prototype. Explain that parts are simulated and agree what will be recorded. This transparent variant can expose interaction needs without presenting human judgement as an implemented model.
Steps
- Specify the task, allowed responses and operator assistance.
- Run the interaction and log what the operator supplied or repaired.
- Separate interface findings from capability, reliability and cost questions still untested.
An example
A speech-practice prototype receives manually prepared feedback. The team records which feedback users understand, not an invented AI accuracy score.
Check your result
Can every apparent system capability be traced to implemented behavior or declared human assistance?
Keep this limit in mind
- Disclosure may change behavior; concealment introduces ethical issues. Follow an approved research protocol, and never use the prototype for consequential live decisions.
Connected ideas
Compare withDeliver the small service before automating its machineryUseful with
Give the user a goal and keep your instructions out of the result
Evidence and sources
Wizard of Oz prototyping can use a human operator to simulate responses of a proposed system.
Simulated capability does not establish production performance, capacity or cost.
The Wizard of Oz Method in UX · Method definition and operator role.
The government research guidance calls for participants to understand the activity and how their data will be used before agreeing voluntarily.
This scoped guidance does not settle every legal basis or organisational approval requirement.
Getting informed consent for user research · Informed consent and explaining the research.