About GEMS
The Geographic Environmental Management System.
The purpose of this project was to design a geographic-based tool (ArcView 3.2) that will support environmental managers at Federal facilities in compiling, understanding, managing, analyzing and using
the information collected as part of environmental compliance and management activities. SAIC developed, in cooperation with EPA HQ and other Federal Agencies, a system that is the foundation
for comprehensive, multi-media environmental management for the future.
Technical Approach
The technical approach for implementing GEMS was divided into five key components:
(1) system functionality, (2) system architecture (hardware and software components),
(3) database structure, (4) user interface and (5) products (output). The system was
implemented using a phased, rapid-prototyping approach as a way to solicit user feedback
in the development process. This insured that user needs were met, the graphical user
interface was tailored to user specifications, and that the system answered the right questions.