The systems development life cycle (SDLC) concept has become a significant method for planning, executing, and controlling systems development projects. However, this approach is not without its drawbacks, and unsatisfactory systems can still be developed. Although not a perfect solution, prototyping has emerged as an attractive tool to complement and even improve the traditional software development method. This article examines the elements and limitations of each approach and discusses how the two can be used together to improve the overall development process.