Rapid application development and agile methodologies were both created as responses to the perceived limitations of structured traditional management techniques like the waterfall model. But rapid application development was the first engineering methodology to identify the underlying differences between software engineering and conventional engineering.
With conventional engineering projects like mechanical systems, huge physical plants or bridges, engineers cannot start building them and then change their minds halfway through. In contrast, software development projects are transient. So, engineers can change their minds if needed.
RAD and agile models exploit this by welcoming changes in requirements even late into the development process.
What is Rapid Application Development?
Rapid Application Development (RAD) is a form of agile software development methodology that prioritizes rapid prototype releases and iterations. Unlike the Waterfall method, RAD emphasizes the use of software and user feedback over strict planning and requirements recording.
What is Agile Methodology?
For a more direct impression, the author had listed some of the most widely used Agile methodologies. It concludes, Agile Scrum Methodology, Kanban, feature driven development etc. These methodologies may share same overarching philosophy and have same characteristic and practices. From an implementation standpoint, however, each has its own unique mix of practices, terminology, and tactics.
Take one of the main methodology Kanban as an example.
Kanban is a highly visual workflow management method that is popular among Lean teams. In fact, 83% of teams practicing Lean use Kanban to visualize and actively manage the creation of products with an emphasis on continual delivery, while not adding more stress to the software development life cycle. Like Scrum, Kanban is a process designed to help teams work together more effectively.
Kanban is based on 3 basic principles:
- Visualize what you’ll do today (workflow automation): Seeing all the items within the context of each other can be very informative
- Limit the amount of work in progress (WIP): This helps balance the flow-based approach so teams don ‘t start and commit to too much work at once
- Enhance flow: When something is finished, the next highest priority item from the backlog is pulled into play
Kanban promotes continuous collaboration and encourages active, ongoing learning and improvement by defining the best possible team workflow.
As you can see above, it is a Kanban view screenshot from Yeeflow, which is a powerful no code RAD tool, it also includes some of the agile methodologies in it. With this kind of tools, you needn’t to figure out the complex terms or methodologies. Because tools such as Yeeflow has done the research and figure out the best way to implement rapid development. And it will definitely provide you with the most convenient user experience.
Although RAD and the agile methodologies share similar values, with regards to flexibility, shorter delivery time, and high customer interaction and satisfaction, RAD is primarily focused on prototypes while agile is mostly focused on breaking down the project into features which are then delivered in various sprints over the development cycle.
If you feel interested in such RAD tools, please check Yeeflow and start your 30 days free trail right now!
