The most powerful communication tool for multidisciplinary projects
The most significant limitation to any project, whether that be a personal project such as a piece of writing, or a project that involves several partners is a fear of not getting it right.
If you have to make a plan or develop a document, there is often a resistance to starting.
When you think of your initial version as just a prototype, you can overcome this resistance.
Prototypes are communication tools that allow others to understand what you are planning to do. It enables them to give feedback.
The prototype for a computer mouse was a butter dish.
Prototypes are especially important when there are multiple disciplines involved as there are in almost all consortium projects.
Different disciplines have their way of thinking about things. It's almost as if they have a different language. Often people from different disciplines only fully understand what others are trying to communicate about project concepts after they have read an outline or first draft.
Prototypes do not have to be physical objects. An outline, a first draft, a schematic, or a canvas are all prototypes.
Without that initial act of producing a prototype, you cannot expect to integrate the input of others.
By holding back, you are limiting the amount of external input available to you. You are limiting your potential to achieve a real difference.