Rapid Application Development (RAD) is a development model that prioritizes on rapid prototyping and application development to ensure faster product delivery. Unlike traditional application development, RAD focuses on iterative development process known as agile development. The concept of RAD was developed out of dissatisfaction over older methods of app development which usually led to delays in delivery.
These days, business demands for new applications is increasing, but the ability to deliver them quickly can’t be met due to traditional coding prolonging the development process. This results in an application “backlog” where the company is unable to keep pace with growing needs. Hence, the use of RAD software is quickly becoming a necessity. Instead of the typical turnaround of months or years for new applications, RAD methodology enables IT teams to deliver in a matter of days or weeks.
Here are five competitive advantages of RAD that is persuading many organizations and developers into its direction:
Developing production-ready apps quickly means that the business can benefit from its availability earlier, while gradually adding new features and functionality. Sometimes, time to market is critical in order to stay competitive. Having the ability to release a lighter version of an app early can be the key to winning initial market share before launching the full version. This can be achieved with RAD.
Since each module is regarded as a separate prototype, organizations can quickly get it tested by end users without having to wait before the final product is released. Any adjustment is easy to implement because it affects one application model and not the whole implementation in one go. Therefore, significant changes in the system design can be easily integrated during the application development process.
Since RAD methodologies allow for continuous feedback during the development process, developers can get the input they need from end users, which can be more easily integrated into later iterations to enhance the final application. That means everyone gets the access they need to sign off on progress and development teams get the feedback they need to accelerate development.
RAD may require you to spend more on hiring talented developers. But with less time spent application development, these costs may turn out to be the same. RAD's big cost saver is that if the client wants major changes, you'll never have to restart the project again from the beginning, leading to less cost overrun.
While older software development methods wait until the very-end of the lifecycle to begin integrations with other systems or services, RAD is integrated from the very beginning leading to lesser issues in the final integration process. Additionally, early integrations enables the RAD system to quickly identify any errors or complications within integrations and forces immediate resolution.
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