Rapid application development: Difference between revisions

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{{Software development process}}

'''Rapid application development''' ('''RAD'''), also called '''rapid application building''' ('''RAB'''), is both a general term for adaptive [[adaptive software development]] approaches, and the name for [[James Martin (author)|James Martin]]'s method of rapid development. In general, RAD approaches to software development put less emphasis on planning and more emphasis on an adaptive process. [[software prototype|Prototypes]] are often used in addition to or sometimes even instead of design specifications.

RAD is especially well suited for (although not limited to) developing [[software]] that is driven by [[user interface]] [[software requirements|requirements]]. [[Graphical user interface builder]]s are often called rapid application development tools. Other approaches to rapid development include the [[Adaptive software development|adaptive]], [[Agile software development|agile]], [[spiral model|spiral]], and [[Unified Process|unified]] models.

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Success that led to both Scott Shultz and James Martin both spending time in Australia with John Underwood to understand the methods and details of why Australia was disproportionately successful in implementing significant mission critical RAD projects.

==The James Martin RAD methodapproach==

[[File:RADModel.JPG|320px|thumb|right|Phases in the James Martin approach to RAD]]

The James Martin approach to RAD divides the process into four distinct phases:

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# '''User design phase''' – during this phase, users interact with [[Systems analyst|systems analysts]] and develop [[Model|models]] and [[Prototype|prototypes]] that represent all system processes, [[Input (computer science)|inputs]], and [[Output (computing)|outputs]]. The RAD groups or subgroups typically use a combination of [[joint application design]] (JAD) techniques and [[CASE tools]] to translate user needs into working models. ''User design'' is a continuous interactive process that allows users to understand, modify, and eventually approve a working model of the system that meets their needs.

# '''Construction phase''' – focuses on program and application development task similar to the SDLC. In RAD, however, users continue to participate and can still suggest changes or improvements as actual screens or reports are developed. Its tasks are programming and application development, [[Computer programming|coding]], [[System integration|unit-integration]] and [[system testing]].

# '''Cutover phase''' – resembles the final tasks in the SDLC implementation phase, including data conversion, testing, changeover to the new system, and user training. Compared with traditional methods, the entire process is compressed. As a result, the new system is built, delivered, and placed in operation much sooner.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Martin|firstsfirst1=James|title=Rapid Application fodDevelopmentDevelopment|date=1991|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=0-02-376775-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/rapidapplication00mart/page/81 81–90]|url=https://archive.org/details/rapidapplication00mart/page/81}}</ref>sekbflbskbronfalbekv lbxlgej

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== Advantages ==

In modern Information Technology environments, many systems are now built using some degree of Rapid Application Development<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gartner.com.br/tecnologias_empresariais/pdfs/brl37l_a3.pdf|title= The Disintegration of AD: Putting it Back Together Again|publisher=gartner.com.br|access-date=2010-04-13|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714222107/http://www.gartner.com.br/tecnologias_empresariais/pdfs/brl37l_a3.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> (not necessarily the James Martin approach). In addition to Martin's method, [[agile methods]] and the [[Rational Unified Process]] are often used for RAD development.

The purported advantages of RAD include: