Rapid application development (RAD), is software development methodology that focuses on building applications in a very short amount of time. It is a process through which the development cycle of an application is expedited. Rapid application development thus enables quality products to be developed faster, saving valuable resources.

The methodology involves iterative development, the construction of prototypes, and the use of CASE tools. Rapid application development enables quality products to be developed faster, saving valuable resources. Rapid application development has four essential aspects: Methodology, People, Management, and Tools. If any one of these ingredients is inadequate, development will not be high speed. Development lifecycles, which weave these ingredients together as effectively as possible, are of the utmost importance.

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The structure of the RAD lifecycle is thus designed to ensure that developers build the systems that the users really need.This lifecycle, through the following four stages, includes all of the activities and tasks required to scope and define business requirements and design, develop, and implement the application system that supports those requirements.

• Requirements Planning

Also known as the Concept Definition Stage, this stage defines the business functions and data subject areas that the system will support and determines the system’s scope.

• User Design

Also known as the Functional Design Stage, this stage uses workshops to model the system’s data and processes and to build a working prototype of critical system components.

• Construction

Also known as the Development Stage, this stage completes the construction of the physical application system, builds the conversion system, and develops user aids and implementation work plans.

• Implementation

Also known as the Deployment Stage, this stage includes final user testing and training, data conversion, and the implementation of the application system.

Core Elements of Rapid Application Development

• Prototyping
• Iterative Development
• Time Boxing
• Team Members
• Management Approach
  

Key Benefits

• 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