Rapid Application Development (RAD) (OCR A-Level Computer Science): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Overview
Rapid Application Development (RAD) emphasises quick development and iterative prototyping, with a focus on gathering user feedback to continuously refine the software.
Key Stages
- Requirements Planning: Basic requirements are quickly gathered.
- User Design: The development team and users work together to design the software using prototypes.
- Construction: The software is rapidly developed with constant feedback from users.
- Cutover: The final software is tested, deployed, and moved to production.
Benefits
- Quick Development: Prototyping and iterative feedback speed up development.
- High User Involvement: Ensures the software meets user needs effectively.
- Flexible: Allows changes and improvements at any stage.
Drawbacks
- Resource Intensive: Requires continuous involvement from users and developers.
- Less Focus on Scalability: Quick development may lead to design limitations in large-scale applications.
- Reliance on Skilled Developers: Effective use of RAD requires experienced developers comfortable with rapid prototyping.
Suitable Use Cases
Best for projects requiring a quick turnaround and ongoing user feedback, like internal business tools or customised applications.