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Agile vs. Rapid Application Development - What's the difference and which approach should you use.

September 28, 2021

Agile vs. Rapid Application Development

When it comes to software development, there are many methodologies that teams can choose to follow. Two popular methodologies are Agile and Rapid Application Development (RAD). While both are built around creating software faster and more efficiently, they are fundamentally different approaches. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between Agile and RAD and help you decide which approach is the best fit for your team.

What is Agile Development?

Agile is a methodology used to manage software development. Agile's philosophy is based on iterative development and frequent deliveries of working software that adheres to customer requirements. Agile emphasizes the flexibility to change development requirements throughout the project's lifecycle.

Some commonly used Agile methodologies include Scrum, Kanban and Extreme Programming (XP).

Advantages of Agile Methodology

Some of the advantages of Agile Methodology include:

  • Improved flexibility and responsiveness to changes in project requirements.
  • Continuous delivery of small functional software releases allows for early detection of defects, and faster issue resolution.
  • Improved customer feedback as they are involved in the development process, which leads to a better understanding of project requirements.

What is Rapid Application Development (RAD)?

RAD is an approach to software development that emphasizes the speed and ease of software creation. The RAD model emphasizes the use of prototyping and iterative development to speed up delivery. One primary goal of RAD is to reduce the overall time to market for a software product.

Advantages of RAD Methodology

Some of the advantages of RAD Methodology include:

  • Faster time to market as the software is created in small iterations.
  • Improved accuracy of software development as early prototyping can help detect defects early in the cycle.

Which approach should you use?

The decision to use either Agile or RAD should primarily depend on the project's specific demands. While RAD may be more suitable for projects with tight deadlines and where speed to market is paramount, Agile may be more suitable for complex projects that benefit from regular feedback and require flexibility.

Here are some instances where either of the methodologies may be more suited:

  • Agile is suitable for projects that require flexibility and changeable demands, such as web application development.
  • RAD is suitable for projects that need to deliver products quickly, such as mobile application development.

Ultimately, your decision to choose either methodology should be determined by the specific requirements of your project.

In conclusion, Agile and RAD are two different development methodologies that can be used to develop software faster and more efficiently. While both offer advantages, the choice of which approach to adopt depends on the project's requirements. Agile has a greater emphasis on flexibility, while RAD brings time to market advantages. As a software developer, your team should choose the Agile or RAD approach that best delivers on your project goals.

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