Rapid application development
RAD (rapid application development) is a concept that products can be developed faster and of higher quality through:- Gathering requirements using workshops or focus groups
- Prototyping and early, reiterative user testing of designs
- The re-use of software components
- A rigidly paced schedule that defers design improvements to the next product version
- Less formality in reviews and other team communication
A typical RAD relies on prototyping and end users involvement. The RAD approach allows development teams to check the developing mode as early as possible and determine if it meets their requirements. Based on the review conducted by the development team and end-users the prototype is modified and the process continues until the system completed and accepted by users.
RAD Objectives - the main objective of using RAD is to cut development time and cost of development by getting involved end-users in every phases of development. Because it's an ongoing process, RAD allows the development team to introduce the necessary modifications quickly during the development. Sometimes when there is a budget constrain the Project Manager must limit the number of changes to stay in budget and time frame.
RAD has four main phases:
Requirements Plannning phase that combines elements of system planning and system analysis. End-Users, Managers and IT members of the group discuss and agree on business needs, the project scope, project and system constrains, and system requirements. Once the development team obtains the management approval to continue this phase is over.
User Design phase - during this phase system analyst and end-users need to develop models, prototypes that show all system processes, outputs, inputs and screens. This is an ongoing process that allows understanding and modifying the working model untill it's approved.
Construction phase - system and application development tasks similar to SDLC, however in RAD case users still continue to participate and suggest chnages to the developed screens and reports. This phase includes Coding and unit, integration and system testing.
Release to Production phase includes data conversion, acceptance testing user training and replacement of old system by new one.