Which statement best describes the functionality of a throw-away prototype?

A throw-away prototype is designed to explore and refine the requirements of a project without the intention of it becoming part of the final product. This type of prototype is particularly valuable in the early stages of development, as it allows stakeholders to visualize concepts and provide feedback, ensuring that the requirements are well understood and specified before moving forward with the implementation.

By focusing on user interaction and the project's needs, throw-away prototypes help clarify what features and functionalities are truly required, leading to a better-aligned final product. This approach allows teams to identify problems or gaps in understanding early, minimizing risks associated with miscommunication or unaddressed requirements.

The other options misinterpret the role of a throw-away prototype. For instance, it is incorrect to say that the prototype will evolve into the final product, as its purpose is to be discarded after serving its purpose. Testing the final design is also not accurate since the throw-away prototype is typically used for requirement gathering rather than validating the final design. Lastly, while it might help with some initial training, it is not intended to serve as the main model for user training, as it will not exist in the final delivery.