What is the systems development technique that tests system concepts and examines user interfaces before final decisions are made?

Prototyping is a systems development technique that focuses on creating preliminary versions of a system to validate design concepts and gather user feedback before full-scale implementation. This approach allows users to interact with visual representations or working models of the system, which helps in identifying potential issues and making necessary adjustments early in the development process. By producing prototypes, stakeholders can visualize the functionality and effectiveness of user interfaces, ensuring that the final product aligns with user expectations and requirements. This allows for a more user-centered design, facilitates communication between developers and users, and ultimately leads to better decision-making regarding system features and interfaces.

In contrast, Agile development emphasizes flexibility and iterative progress, but it does so without necessarily creating distinct prototypes for user feedback. The Waterfall model follows a linear, sequential approach that does not allow for earlier user testing of concepts, as it typically waits until each phase is completed before moving to the next. Iterative design does involve making improvements based on feedback, but it may not focus specifically on creating prototypes in the same way that prototyping does. Hence, the clarity and user validation focus of prototyping make it the most appropriate choice for testing system concepts and examining user interfaces before final decisions are made.