If you’re looking for a faster way to develop your application, consider using a method other than the waterfall method. This requires sticking to the planned schedule and does not allow continuous iterations. This means that every time a client proposes a change, you have to start over.

Instead, we can consider the Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach developed by James Martin in 1991. For some time now, the RAD approach is still popular with people looking for agile application development methods to meet the needs of growing businesses and customers.

What is RAD and its benefits?

Rapid Application Development (RAD) is a type of agile software development method that prioritizes rapid prototype release and iteration. In contrast to the waterfall method, RAD approaches to software development and user feedback rather than rigorous planning and requirement recording.

Benefits of RAD are:

• Increases flexibility and adaptability as developers can make quick adjustments during the development process.
• Fast iterations that reduce development time and accelerate deployment.
• Promote code reuse. This means less manual coding, less chance of error, and faster test time.
• With a high level of collaboration and coordination between stakeholders (developers, customers, end users) customer satisfaction is increased to huge extent
• Improves risk management by allowing stakeholders to discuss and fix code weaknesses while continuing the development process.
• In contrast to the waterfall method, RAD includes early integration of the software development process, which makes it less surprising.

5 steps or phases in RAD

Step 1: Define and finalize project requirements. In this step, stakeholders work together to define and establish project requirements such as project goals, expectations, schedules, and budgets. Having clearly defined and portrayed all aspects of the project requirements, you are ready to seek management approval.

Step 2: Start prototyping Once you’ve finished scoping your project, start developing. Designers and developers work closely with customers to create actionable prototypes and improve them until the final product is complete.

Step 3: Collect user feedback In this step, the prototype and beta system are transformed into a behavioral model. Developers then collect user feedback to optimize and improve prototypes to create the best possible product.

Step 4: test, test, test In this step, you need to test your software product to make sure that all moving parts work as expected by your customers. Customer feedback are incorporated while the code is being tested and retested to ensure that the code works properly.

Step 5: Present the system This is the last step before the finished product is on the market. This includes data transformation and user training.