通过自动制图/设施管理和地理信息系统的发展，已经开发出一种行之有效的方法，用于为水应用构建成功且设计良好的AM/FM/GIS。这种方法在设计和开发过程的关键点将传统的结构化分析技术与快速原型技术相结合。在这种方法中，原型应用程序用于制定和测试系统正式设计和编码的想法。由于AM/FM/GIS具有高度的交互性和图形导向性，作为应用程序设计和开发过程中的一个重要步骤，原型设计是定义和传达真实用户需求的最有效手段。

Through the evolution of Automated Mapping/Facilities Management and Geographic Information Systems, a proven methodology for building a successful and well-engineered AM/FM/GIS for water applications has developed. This methodology combines traditional structured analysis techniques with rapid prototyping at critical points in the design and development process. In this methodology, prototype applications are used to formulate and test ideas for the formal design and coding of the system. Because of the highly interactive and graphics-oriented nature of AM/FM/GIS, prototyping is the most effective means of defining and communicating the true set of user requirements as an important step in the application design and development process.