Rapid Application Development (RAD) (OCR A Level Computer Science)

Rapid Application Development (RAD)

• Rapid Application Development (RAD) is a software development methodology that emphasises fast and iterative development

Steps in the model:

1. Requirement planning: Gather general system requirements, define constraints and assumptions

2. User design and prototyping: Collaborate with users to develop prototypes, ensuring alignment with user needs

3. Construction or iterative development: Build the system incrementally, with continuous user feedback and adaptation

4. Cutover or deployment: Transition the product into the live environment, including user training, support, and documentation

5. Maintenance and updates: Continue to adapt and improve the system based on user feedback and needs

Rapid Application Development (RAD) Model of Software Development

Benefits:

• Speed: Enables rapid development and delivery of a high-quality system at a relatively low investment cost

• User involvement: Clients are involved throughout the development process, ensuring that the system aligns with user needs and expectations

• Flexibility: Allows for changes and adaptations to be made quickly as requirements evolve

• Incremental development: Promotes development in small increments, with constant feedback and adaptation

Drawbacks:

• Dependent on strong team collaboration: Requires skilled and collaborative team members, which can be a challenge to assemble

• Potential lack of quality: The focus on speed might lead to skipping rigorous testing or documentation, impacting the quality

• Not suitable for small projects: The intense collaboration and iterative approach might be overkill for simple or small-scale projects

• Can lead to scope creep: The flexible nature may lead to uncontrolled changes in requirements

Suitability:

• Rapid Application Development is most suitable for projects where rapid delivery is required and where requirements can be developed and refined on the go