As a product manager, Axure RP is one of your most powerful tools for communicating vision, validating ideas, and aligning stakeholders. However, many PMs only scratch the surface of what Axure can do. Here are five essential tips that will transform how you use Axure and boost your productivity.

Tip 1: Master the Art of Rapid Prototyping

Why Speed Matters

As a PM, your time is precious. You need to iterate quickly, test ideas fast, and move on. Spending days perfecting pixel-perfect prototypes for early-stage validation is counterproductive.

Build a Personal Widget Library

Create and maintain your own library of commonly used components:

  • Navigation Patterns: Headers, footers, side menus, tab bars
  • Form Elements: Input fields, dropdowns, checkboxes, buttons with common states
  • Content Blocks: Cards, lists, table templates
  • Feedback Elements: Success messages, error states, loading indicators
  • Modal Templates: Confirmation dialogs, alerts, overlays

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn these time-saving shortcuts:

  • Ctrl/Cmd + D: Duplicate selected widgets
  • Ctrl/Cmd + G: Group widgets
  • F5: Preview in browser
  • Ctrl/Cmd + R: Create dynamic panel from selection
  • Alt + Drag: Duplicate while dragging

Start with Low Fidelity

For early-stage concepts:

  • Use simple rectangles and text instead of detailed UI
  • Focus on flow and functionality, not aesthetics
  • Validate the concept before investing in polish
  • Save high-fidelity work for later stages

Practical Example

Instead of spending 3 days creating a perfect checkout flow, spend 3 hours creating a wireframe version. Test it with stakeholders. Iterate. Only then invest in high-fidelity details. This approach can save you weeks of wasted effort on features that might change or be eliminated.

Tip 2: Use Prototypes to Drive Stakeholder Alignment

The Communication Challenge

As a PM, one of your biggest challenges is ensuring everyone—from executives to engineers—shares the same vision. Written specs and static mockups often fail to convey the full picture. Interactive prototypes bridge this gap.

Create Scenario-Based Demos

Instead of showing every screen, create specific user journey prototypes:

  • New User Onboarding: Show the complete first-time experience
  • Key Task Completion: Demonstrate the primary user workflow
  • Error Handling: Show how the system responds to problems
  • Edge Cases: Demonstrate unusual but important scenarios

Add Context with Annotations

Use Axure's annotation features effectively:

  • Business Rationale: Explain why this feature exists
  • Success Metrics: Define how you'll measure success
  • Technical Considerations: Flag potential implementation challenges
  • Open Questions: Highlight decisions that need input
  • Competitive Context: Reference how competitors handle similar flows

Run Interactive Prototype Reviews

Make review sessions interactive:

  • Let stakeholders click through the prototype themselves
  • Ask them to complete specific tasks
  • Observe where they get confused or hesitate
  • Gather real-time feedback and questions
  • Document decisions and action items immediately

Practical Example

Before a feature kickoff meeting, share an Axure prototype via Axure Viewer showing the proposed flow. During the meeting, walk through the prototype together, pause at key decision points, and use Axure Cloud's commenting feature to capture feedback. This approach results in clearer requirements and fewer surprises during development.

Tip 3: Balance Fidelity with Purpose

Not Every Prototype Needs High Fidelity

Different stages of product development require different prototype fidelity levels. Understanding when to use which level saves time and reduces confusion.

The Fidelity Spectrum

Low Fidelity (Concept Validation)

When to use: Initial ideation, early stakeholder feedback, exploring multiple concepts

  • Simple boxes and text labels
  • Minimal or no styling
  • Basic click-through navigation
  • Focus: Information architecture and flow

Medium Fidelity (User Testing)

When to use: User testing, internal reviews, developer handoff preparation

  • Accurate layout and spacing
  • Real content or realistic placeholders
  • Key interactions implemented
  • Focus: Usability and interaction patterns

High Fidelity (Final Validation)

When to use: Executive presentations, investor demos, final user validation

  • Polished visual design
  • Real data and content
  • Complete interactions and animations
  • Focus: Visual design and overall experience

The Goldilocks Principle

Too low fidelity and stakeholders can't visualize the product. Too high fidelity and they get distracted by colors and fonts instead of focusing on functionality. Find the "just right" level for your audience and purpose.

Practical Example

When exploring three different navigation concepts, create low-fidelity versions of all three in a few hours. Get feedback. Pick the winner. Only then invest time creating a high-fidelity version of the chosen concept. This approach lets you explore more options without wasting time.

Tip 4: Leverage Variables and Conditions for Realistic Experiences

Why Realism Matters

Static prototypes showing only the "happy path" miss critical edge cases and don't prepare your team for real-world scenarios. Smart use of variables and conditions creates more realistic, testable prototypes.

Common Use Cases for Variables

Form Validation

Create realistic form validation:

  • Show error messages for empty required fields
  • Validate email format
  • Check password strength
  • Disable submit button until form is valid

User State Management

Track user state throughout the prototype:

  • Show different content for logged-in vs. logged-out users
  • Display user name and avatar after login
  • Remember shopping cart contents across pages
  • Track completed steps in multi-step processes

Feature Flags

Demonstrate different configurations:

  • Show/hide premium features based on subscription tier
  • Demonstrate A/B test variations
  • Toggle experimental features on/off
  • Show different content based on user roles

Simple Condition Examples

Email Validation

Check if email contains "@" symbol before allowing submission:

  • Variable: emailInput
  • Condition: If emailInput contains "@"
  • Action: Enable submit button, proceed to next page
  • Else: Show error message, keep button disabled

Personalized Welcome

Display user's name after they enter it:

  • Variable: userName
  • Action: Set userName to input field value
  • Display: "Welcome, [[userName]]!" on subsequent pages

Don't Overdo It

While variables add realism, remember:

  • Complex logic is hard to maintain
  • Not every interaction needs conditions
  • Focus on scenarios that matter most
  • Document your logic for others to understand

Practical Example

For a checkout flow prototype, use variables to show cart totals updating when quantities change, apply discount codes, and display appropriate error messages for invalid credit card numbers. This helps developers understand all the states they need to handle and helps stakeholders understand the full complexity of the feature.

Tip 5: Share and Collaborate Effectively

Choose the Right Sharing Method

Different audiences and situations require different sharing approaches.

For Internal Team Collaboration

Use Axure Cloud when:

  • Working with distributed teams
  • Need commenting and feedback features
  • Require version control
  • Want password protection
  • Budget allows for subscription

For Client and Stakeholder Demos

Use services like Axure Viewer when:

  • Need quick, free sharing
  • Want no-registration access for viewers
  • Presenting to clients or external stakeholders
  • Need shareable links that work instantly
  • Want to maintain ownership of files

For Executive Presentations

Use local preview when:

  • Presenting in locations with poor internet
  • Need guaranteed performance
  • Working with highly confidential information
  • Want to avoid any technical issues during critical presentations

Prepare Your Prototype for Sharing

Before sharing any prototype:

Add Navigation Hints

  • Create a landing page with instructions
  • Highlight clickable elements on first visit
  • Include a "Start Here" button or arrow
  • Add a navigation menu for jumping between sections

Test Everything

  • Click through all interactions
  • Check on multiple browsers
  • Test on mobile if applicable
  • Verify all links work
  • Ensure images load properly

Provide Context

  • Include version number and date
  • Add a brief project description
  • Note any known limitations
  • Provide contact information for questions

Gathering and Managing Feedback

Structured Feedback Sessions

  • Send prototype with specific questions to answer
  • Set a deadline for feedback
  • Schedule follow-up discussion
  • Use a feedback template for consistency

Document and Prioritize

  • Capture all feedback in a central location
  • Categorize by theme (usability, functionality, design)
  • Prioritize using impact vs. effort matrix
  • Communicate what feedback will/won't be addressed

Practical Example

Before a stakeholder review meeting, upload your prototype to Axure Viewer and send the link with an agenda that includes specific questions you need answered. During the meeting, screen share the prototype, walk through key flows, and capture feedback in real-time. After the meeting, send a summary of decisions made and next steps, with the prototype link for reference.

Bonus Tip: Build a PM-Specific Workflow

Create a Template Project

Build a template with:

  • Pre-built common pages (login, dashboard, settings)
  • Your standard widget library
  • Consistent page structure and naming
  • Pre-configured global variables
  • Documentation templates in notes

Establish Your Prototyping Workflow

  1. Define Scope: What needs to be prototyped and why?
  2. Sketch First: Quick paper sketches before opening Axure
  3. Build Rapidly: Create low-fi version quickly
  4. Get Feedback: Share early and often
  5. Iterate: Refine based on feedback
  6. Increase Fidelity: Polish only when direction is validated
  7. Document: Add annotations and specifications
  8. Hand Off: Share with development team

Time Management

Set time limits for prototyping phases:

  • Concept exploration: 2-4 hours max
  • User flow validation: 1-2 days
  • High-fidelity prototype: 3-5 days

If you're spending more time, step back and ask if it's necessary.

Conclusion: Work Smarter, Not Harder

These five tips focus on making you more effective as a product manager:

  1. Rapid Prototyping: Build fast with reusable components and shortcuts
  2. Stakeholder Alignment: Use prototypes as communication tools, not just deliverables
  3. Appropriate Fidelity: Match prototype detail to your current needs
  4. Smart Variables: Add realism where it matters most
  5. Effective Sharing: Choose the right method for your audience

Remember, the goal of prototyping isn't to create perfect designs—it's to validate ideas, communicate vision, and make better product decisions. Focus on these objectives, and you'll get more value from Axure with less effort.

Share Your Prototypes Instantly

Upload your Axure prototypes to Axure Viewer for free, instant sharing with stakeholders.

Try It Now

Your Turn

Which of these tips will you implement first? Do you have other Axure tips that have improved your PM workflow? The key is to continuously refine your process and find what works best for your team and situation.

Happy prototyping!