Pros & Cons Of Rapid Application Development

Rapid Application Development is a team-based model which is based on prototyping and iterative development.

Here, functions are built in a parallel way such that each one of them is handled as a subproject. Each of these subprojects is then assembled into a prototype or a working model in a time-boxed style.

The RAD Model implements a four-phase life-cycle methodology commonly used to support new business functions of a company. 

RAD implements a four-phased life-cycle that makes developing or changing the product or its components much more effortless.

The model incorporates every user in the respective phases to reduce the development time and the associated costs.

According to creatio, the businesses that integrate rapid application development models in building modern applications enjoy the several advantages that the technology brings to the company.

Apart from fast ap building, they can add multiple iterations and update software quickly without starting the whole process afresh.  

Four phases implemented in RAD include:

• Planning for requirements: the users must agree upon the material needs for the project.
• User design: this is done to give users an idea of the features.
• Construction: the apps are built but with continuous user participation.
• Cutover: the final stage involves data conversion, testing, changeover, and even training of users. 

Generally, as a tool that focuses on the business problems, RAD is an incremental model where smaller portions are picked and built systematically.

Each one of these smaller portions contributes to the bigger picture and are then developed individually into the ultimate model.

However much the Rapid Application Development model is beneficial to the app-building process, it is not proof or issue.

In this article, we focus on the pros and cons of using the model. 

Pros Of RAD Model

Risk Mitigation

The process involves several risks. These can quickly reduce the efficiency of the process or lower the quality of outputs.

Also, because there are several prototypes available with the RAD, risk factors are analyzed at the early stages and minimized in development. This helps with risk control as well as making the process safer. 

Quality Control

Generally, the application development process should be driven by the customers to answer critical specific market gaps.

This model mainly focuses on market problems that are majorly observed as more substantial to the end-user. 

Also, the model involves more prototype-level testing to generates more feedback for improvement. As a result, the product quality and customer satisfaction and consequentially increased.

Development Of IB Systems

As an efficient decision-maker, the model helps developers to set time limits for project completion. The Generator RAD is used in the form of domain-specific languages and spreadsheets. 

On the other hand, GRED is less scalable than composition RAD. As a software development option, Composition RAD builds frameworks and database management systems that fully support the development of IB systems. 

Efficiency

RAD is considered a very efficient tool for application development compared to the traditional development methods.

It makes it much easier to test and deploy prototypes for various features and functions. Besides, the end product is more stable, highly usable, and easier to maintain. 

Flexibility

RAD models allow individual prototype testing at every iteration. Also, it is easier to change the critical functions of software at the testing stage of the RAD model.

This dramatically reduces the overall testing time for applications and reduces application development time. 

Timed Operations

RAD reduces documentation to the minimum. This is because the tools generally automated. As a result, it bemomes a quicker and easier way to create and test prototypes. 

Cons Of RAD Model

Skill And Collaboration

The RAD tools require high-end collaboration between developer teams. Besides, the workers should be highly skilled to be able to win the commitment and involvement of users. 

High Cost

The cost of implementing RAD projects is generally high. This means that low-budget projects may not benefit from the system. It is therefore not a good fit for tasks that come with low-cost margins.

Rigid

RAD model is considered to be highly rigid. This is because the requirements have to be known before starting the project. 

Unstructured

RAD model is much unstructured. Also, the stages are not adequately defined. The model may not be straightforward to understand and even implement if teams are not well skilled.