What is the primary purpose of prototyping in business analysis?

The primary purpose of prototyping in business analysis is to visualize and interact with a representation of the system. Prototyping allows stakeholders to see and experience a preliminary version of a product or system before it is fully developed. This approach facilitates feedback and collaboration, ensuring that the final outcome aligns more closely with user expectations and requirements.

By creating an interactive model, business analysts can identify areas of misunderstanding, clarify requirements, and refine designs based on user interactions. This hands-on engagement with the prototype helps to illuminate functionalities that may not have been fully articulated during initial discussions. Furthermore, it fosters a collaborative environment where users can express their needs and preferences, resulting in a product that better meets their requirements.

The other options, while relevant to various aspects of project development, do not capture the core purpose of prototyping as effectively. Prototyping is not primarily about quickly developing a final product or reducing the budget, nor does it focus on the creation of comprehensive documentation. Instead, its main goal is to improve understanding and communication regarding the intended system through visualization and interaction.