RAD or Rapid Application Development is a model in which functions are built in a parallel way such that each one of them appear like a subproject. Every one of these subprojects are then assembled into a working model in a time boxed style. Rapid Application Development implements a four-phase life-cycle methodology that is commonly used when there is a system that requires to support new business functions of a company.
This app development method makes it much easier to develop or rapidly change the product or its components. The key objective of RAD is to reduce the development time and the associated costs by making users part of every RAD phase. Creatio application development process is therefore made easier with rapid application development processes. This as a result improves customer experience and revenue to the business.
In addition, RAD model inspires active customer feedback particularly by a process more visible to customers from early stages. The main objective of this model is to reduce development time and associated costs by involving users in every stage used in RAD.
RAD as an approach to software development is therefore an incremental model where smaller and multiple portions are picked and built in a systematic manner and each one of these contribute to the bigger picture. Therefore, the major feature to be built is usually split into smaller, realizable portions. These are then developed individually into the ultimate incremental model.
This model however has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of RAD model into detail.
Pros Of RAD Model
Risk Mitigation
Application development process involves a number of risks which may reduce the efficiency of the process and lower the quality of outputs. Because there are several prototypes available with the RAD development tools, risks are minimized in the early stages as risk factors are analyzed at the early stages. This provides a great deal of risk control making the process safer.
Quality Control
Application development should be customer driven so that it answers to key specific market gaps. Rapid Application Development mainly focuses on market problems that are regarded as more significant to the end user.
In essence, RAD software is more useful. This is because it involves a more budding prototype that fits more business functionalities.
Additionally, this model involves more prototype level testing which generates more feedback for improvement. This leads to enhanced product quality and increased customer satisfaction.
Development Of IB Systems
Rapid Application Development model is an efficient decision-maker. It sets time limits for project completion. Generator RAD is used in the form of domain-specific languages and spreadsheets.
However, GRED is less scalable than composition RAD. As a process of software development, composition RAD therefore builds frameworks as well as database management systems that fully support IB systems development.
Efficiency
This factor is key in all applications that are built for the market. RAD makes it much easier to test and deploy prototypes for various features and functions. The end product is more stable, highly usable and easier to maintain. This makes Rapid Application Development more efficient.
Flexibility
Changing key functions of a software while still at the testing stage is generally effortless. In RAD models, prototypes are tested individually at every iteration. This reduces the overall testing time for the applications.
Timed Operations
Documentation in the RAD model is reduced to the minimum. This is because RAD tools are generally automated. This makes it a quicker and easier way to make and test prototypes.
Cons Of RAD Model
Skill And Collaboration
This model requires high end collaboration between teams. In addition, it requires highly skilled workers in order to be in a position to win the commitment and involvement of users.
Cost
RAD projects are generally high cost. This means that projects with very low costs margins may not benefit from the system.
Rigid
RAD model is highly rigid. The requirements have to be known in good time before initiating the project.
Unstructured
RAD model is basically unstructured. This is to say that the system is not properly defined and may not be very easy to understand.