What is rapid application development (RAD)?

Rapid Application Development (RAD) emerged in the 1980s as a response to the limitations of the traditional waterfall model, offering a more adaptive and feedback-driven approach to software development. Developed by James Martin, RAD emphasizes speed and user feedback through prototyping and is particularly effective for projects requiring rapid iterations, user interface focus, and cost efficiency. The methodology consists of four phases: requirement planning, user design, build and feedback, and cutover, allowing for incremental product delivery based on continuous client input. While RAD offers advantages like improved product quality, reduced risk, and increased flexibility, it also presents challenges such as requiring skilled resources, being resource-intensive, and having scalability limitations. It is best suited for small to medium-sized projects where robust user feedback is crucial, but it demands a highly skilled and collaborative team to ensure success.