Definition of Rapid Application Development
A system development approach that employs tools, techniques, and methodologies designed to speed application development.
– Source: Fundamentals of Information Systems 7th Edition by Ralph Stair and George Reynolds
What is Rapid Application Development model?
Rapid Application Development model relies on prototyping and rapid cycles of iterative development to speed up development and elicit early feedback from business users. After each iteration, developers can refine and validate the features with stakeholders. RAD model is also characterized by reiterative user testing and the re-use of software components. Hence, RAD has been instrumental in reducing the friction points in delivering successful enterprise applications. Learn more about the benefits of Rapid Application Development
Steps involved in implementing Rapid Application Development model
Rapid development typically involves the following basic steps that complete the process
- Planning: The first step where developers, designers, engineers and technology people come together to discuss the project needs, limitations and specifications. The prototyping needs are identified and agreed upon.
- Design: Once the design requirements are gathered, initial prototyping and modelling is done. Feedback from user experiences, help in designing the prototype and the overall architecture of the application. There can be multiple iterations.
- Development : With the design and prototype in place, the real work begins with development. The basic coding, architecture, testing , deployment and integration to backend services happends in this phase. With rapid application development model, there can be changes and enhancements made as per the need of the project.
- Release: The final transition stage is where the release of the developed application happens.. The development team moves the components from a testing environment to production . The application is deployed and the user can now use it to increase business efficiency
WaveMaker RAD model
WaveMaker makes use of the RAD model to provide a Rapid Application Development platform to create web and mobile applications. The following diagram depicts WaveMaker RAD platform architecture, based on the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern. Open standards, easy customization and rapid prototyping are central to the platform.
WaveMaker RAD Platform Architecture
Click here for the detailed WaveMaker RAD Platform architecture
The benefits of WaveMaker Rapid Application Development Model have a direct bearing on the cost and schedule of enterprise application delivery. In fact, organizations that have used WaveMaker RAD model have experienced:
The biggest advantage of rad development is its inherent synergy with the requirements of the medium itself: software. Whereas other forms of creation, such as a towering skyscraper or a sleek new automobile, require meticulous planning and logical development, the very essence of software is both malleable and in constant evolution. Since code itself — and by extension, the software which is powered by said code — can be morphed quickly and easily during development, software is inherently adaptable, lending itself well to iteration and experimentation.
Rapid Application development has many advantages over any traditional application model. As the name suggests, the model makes application development fast and easy with iterative prototyping. Simple drag and drop features and the use of minimum coding efforts make it usable even for business people who have limited coding and technology knowledge.
By utilizing a rapid application development method, designers and developers can utilize knowledge and discoveries conceived during the development process itself to shape the design and or alter the software direction entirely.
Ideal condition for development using a RAD Model is:
When there is need to complete a project with great speed and agility, RAD is the best solution. With frequent possible iterations and prototyping possibility, RAD helps in building applications fast and deliver results. Rapid Application Model is appropriate for building applications that involve lower risks and need to built in a very short span of time. This model works best where many changes can be apprehended due to the dynamic nature of business involved