Benefits of a Prototype

Better quality system delivered	Sometimes a developer may not fully understand what the end user is expecting. Prototyping enables any misunderstandings to be identified and sorted out early on in the process.
Identify problems early on	A working system is available early on in the process. The user can identify possible improvements which can be made before the system is completed.
End user involvement	The end user feels more involved in the development of the system and will 'buy' into it.
Fulfil user requirements	A system which has been through prototyping will generally have an improved design quality and will be far closer to what the user needs.
Cost savings	It is far less expensive to rectify problems with the system in the early stages of development than towards the end of the project.
Training	The prototype can eventually be used to help train staff while the real system is still being fully developed