A playtest is the process by which a designer tests for bugs and other design flaws before bringing their concept to market. Playtesting originated in computer, board, and role-playing games, where they have become an established part of the quality control process. [1]

The term was introduced to me by Wil Schroter in the context of Lifestyle Design wherein a test of the lifestyle being sought is constructed to justify the investment required—time, money, etc.—to attain the outcome. While home shopping, Schroter suggested to his wife, "let's move into the place where we wanted to retire to see if we hate it." By arranging the experience of the outcome at the onset, they enabled themselves to justify the means required to get there.

References

Playtest, wikipedia.org