RAD concept

The RAD concept (Rapid application development) promotes rapid product development in the context of uncertain requirements for it, as well as time and budget constraints.

The RAD concept is implemented using technical means suitable for a specific product and constantly clarifying all requirements with the customer and involving him in assessing intermediate stages of product readiness.

The RAD concept is based on the following principles:

• All technical means should contribute to minimizing product development time.
• Complete focus on the customer's requirements for the product being developed.
• Using product prototypes to clarify the customer's technical specifications.
• Product development should be cyclical, i.e. each new version is created after the customer has evaluated the previous version.
• Reducing product development time by using existing modules and adding functionality.
• Close collaboration between team members, with each developer being able to handle multiple responsibilities at the same time.
• The main goal of project management should be to minimize the duration of the development cycle.

Working on a project using the RAD concept includes the following stages:

1. Planning, where all team members discuss the technical specifications for the product to be implemented, the upcoming tasks, and the difficulties that may arise later. Once planning is complete, the project manager must give permission to continue the work.
2. User design involves interaction between users and analysts to further refine product requirements.
3. Design is the stage at which the main development of the project takes place.
4. Switching involves testing the product and evaluating it with end users.

See also