Plan for Prototype and Testing for Toy Subscription Boxes

FaFa Sylvain
3 min readJul 16, 2024

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Objective: Create sample toy subscription boxes and conduct testing with a small group of target customers to gather feedback on toy selection, packaging, and overall experience.

Step 1: Define Testing Objectives

Objectives:

  • Assess the appeal of toy selections.
  • Evaluate packaging quality and design.
  • Gather insights on overall customer experience.
  • Identify any areas for improvement.

Step 2: Develop Prototypes

  • Select Toys: Choose a variety of toys that cater to different interests and developmental stages within your target age group.
  • Packaging Design: Design attractive and durable packaging. Consider eco-friendly options if sustainability is a key value.
  • Assemble Sample Boxes: Create a set of sample boxes with the selected toys and packaging.

Step 3: Identify Testing Group

  • Target Customers: Choose a small, diverse group of your target audience. This could include parents of toddlers and pre-schoolers with different backgrounds and preferences.

Recruitment:

  • Social Media: Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and parenting forums to recruit testers.
  • Email Lists: Reach out to potential testers through existing email lists or newsletters.
  • Local Communities: Partner with local parenting groups or playgroups.

Step 4: Conduct Testing

  • Distribute Sample Boxes: Send the sample boxes to the selected group of testers. Use a reliable shipping service to ensure timely and safe delivery.

Gather Feedback:

  • Surveys: Create detailed surveys using tools like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform to collect structured feedback.
  • Interviews: Conduct follow-up phone or video interviews for more in-depth insights.
  • Focus Groups: Organize online or in-person focus group sessions to facilitate group discussions and gather collective feedback.

Step 5: Analyze Feedback

  • Data Analysis Tools: Use tools like Google Sheets or Excel to compile and analyze survey data. For more advanced analysis, consider using software like SPSS or Tableau.
  • Key Metrics: Focus on metrics such as toy satisfaction, packaging appeal, overall experience rating, and suggestions for improvement.

Step 6: Refine Product

  • Identify Trends: Look for common themes or recurring feedback points.
  • Make Adjustments:
  • Toy Selection: Replace or adjust toy selections based on feedback.
  • Packaging: Improve packaging design and quality if necessary.
  • Customer Experience: Address any issues related to the unboxing experience or subscription process.
  • Test Iterations: Consider conducting additional rounds of testing with refined prototypes if significant changes are made.

Step 7: Finalize Product for Launch

  • Finalize Selections: Confirm the final selection of toys and packaging design.
  • Quality Control: Ensure all elements meet quality standards and customer expectations.
  • Prepare for Scale: Get ready for larger production runs and wider distribution.

Tools and Resources

  1. Surveys and Feedback Collection:
  • Google Forms: Free and easy-to-use survey tool.
  • SurveyMonkey: Offers advanced survey features and analytics.
  • Typeform: Provides engaging and interactive survey designs.

2. Data Analysis:

  • Google Sheets/Excel: For basic data compilation and analysis.
  • SPSS: For advanced statistical analysis.
  • Tableau: For data visualization and in-depth analysis.

3. Recruitment:

  • Facebook: Use groups and ads to reach potential testers.
  • Instagram: Collaborate with influencers and use hashtags to find testers.
  • Local Parenting Forums: Engage with community members for recruitment.

4. Shipping and Distribution:

  • ShipStation: For managing and automating shipping processes.
  • UPS/FedEx: Reliable shipping partners for delivering sample boxes.

5. Prototyping:

  • Local Printers/Packagers: For creating custom packaging.
  • Suppliers: Reliable toy suppliers for initial toy selections.

By following this plan, you can effectively prototype and test your toy subscription boxes, ensuring a well-rounded and appealing product before launch.

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FaFa Sylvain

Data scientist working on independent machine learning projects.