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Introduction
According to Matt Davies Stockton, since its introduction, RAD (Rapid Application Development) has proved itself to be a much more powerful alternative to the waterfall development method. It has been favored by both clients and developers for the right reasons. Let’s check out the advantages of RAD.
The Discussion
- Quick delivery and adjustments – Due to its highly iterative nature, RAD offers faster end delivery of software and allows you to reach your goals quicker than ever. It justified the word ‘rapid’ in its name. Apart from delivery, adjustments are also as quick as possible. As the development process goes on, things often need to be changed and tailored for specific purposes. RAD offers a framework that encourages midstream adjustments and allows you to quickly execute them during development.
- Low development cost – Every development method requires the skills of talented developers and RAD isn’t any different. However, it distinguishes itself from other methods by shortening the development time drastically and that helps to keep your costs low. The greatest cost advantage of RAD is that there’s no need to rerun a project from the beginning. Even if your client wants big changes, the adjustments can be easily made, and the costs are minimized.
- Less error prone – RAD uses repositories of components that are to be reused and readjusted. That’s why the code has fewer errors. This results in shortened testing time with the final product already thoroughly tested even before the end of the development process and has fewer defects compared to other methods.
- Low maintenance and quick release – When you release an application developed using RAD, maintenance is effortless and quick. Unlike traditional models, fixes on RAD releases require way less testing, planning, and manpower. That’s why applications developed through RAD get newer versions developed more quickly. A new version feels like another iteration that can be executed rapidly. No need to create elaborate plans that take months to be completed.
- Quick adoption of newer technologies – If you’ve ever been involved in a waterfall project or any other project with a model that isn’t RAD, you know how painful the process of adopting new technologies is. Even if that new technology is very helpful and revolutionary, there’s very little chance you’ll add it to your project since the risks are very high for going back and changing the requirements. On the other hand, with RAD, new technologies can be immediately tested, tried, or evaluated.
- More client involvement – RAD encourages and even relies on the heavy involvement of the client and even the end user in some cases. This allows the client to have a better understanding of the project’s timeline and its complexities. The final product is also something that’s close to what the client actually wants.
Conclusion
Matt Davies Stockton suggests that you also use RAD principles to create your own automated business process applications or hire a company that specializes in them. RAD allows you to create apps within a very short deadline without any coding and that’s why it’s favored by everyone.
