COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING IN THE WATER RESOURCES ENVIRONMENT.

The movement from traditional mechanical drafting to computer aided drafting in the small consulting business/research environment while necessary from the viewpoint of productivity and cost-effectiveness can be unexpectedly and unnecessarily expensive, frustrating, and non-cost-effective. Based on the recent and continuing experience of the Water Resources Center of the Desert Research Institute in making this transition, the authors have identified four areas in which careful thought and investigation will yield large benefits in making the transition from traditional drafting techniques to computer aided drafting. These areas are Planning, Investigation/Evaluation of Alternatives, Implementation, and Acceptance.