Sunday, September 23, 2012

Facts About RAD Rapid Application Development

By Patrice McCoy


Innovation in technology and especially those that are computer based is changing many processes. The adoption of these technologies is introducing efficiency and productivity as important features in such applications. Generally the hardware as one of the components is ever present while the software needs keep changing as newer applications are discovered. As such the software component must consistently undergo customization in order to meet the changing needs of the user. This customization involves a disciplined approach that combines various methods tools and techniques. Generally the need for time critical software product may require using an approach like RAD rapid application development.

It is obvious that the highly changeable product requirements by users demand a development process that is quick on product delivery. In this way the merchandise is not lagging behind on the user needs but is kept at par. Such an approach can speedily translate the product to suit the present user requirements. Such a methodology will imply various features that are particulate.

The methodology supports the breaking down of major components into minor manageable units. Each of these modules performs a definite task and is therefore associated to a particular function. Furthermore every module must be completed within a predefined period that translates into the total project duration. Basing on this fact the whole project duration can be determined and accomplished within certain time-frame.

This defines the time dependent approach to software production. In this case every component is assigned a time frame in which it must be completed. The team working on such a module or unit is regulated by this time constraint. At times when the deadline is exceeded the module or unit is discarded.

This time-boxed phases are assigned to teams comprising analysts and programmers. These people work to perfect and test the units assigned to them before submitting the same for integration to form the bigger system. Using such an approach effort can be maximized to speedily deliver a high quality software product.

Generally software projects base on cost and time apart from quality to measure their levels of success. Therefore whatever is used must enable the software developers to balance between these three factors which is especially the case for large software projects. The objective is to deliver a product whose need still exists.

Comparatively the traditional approaches in software production had many shortcomings. For one using a rigid method like the waterfall was likely to deliver a product a little too late. This is because of its rigid nature that is insensitive to the ever changing needs of the user.

Ultimately the benefits gained from using RAD rapid application development as an approach to software production are numerous. Primarily the ability to fulfill the user need in a timely manner makes this approach desirable for such projects. This is as has been seen where the user requirements are highly volatile and so in equal sense require products that are delivered at par.Apparently the cost of an obsolete product is high in terms of effort expended and resources wasted. As such an approach that would ensure that the project is completed on schedule is a very suitable alternative for many developers. With such a method a product is released on time and fetches its value for money. In addition usability and acceptability are realized based on this timely delivery.




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