Importance of RAD Model

Rapid Application Development (RAD) is an incremental software process model that emphasizes a short development cycle, the RAD model is a "high-speed" adaptation of the waterfall model, in which rapid development is achieved by using a component-based construction approach.   RAD model enables rapid delivery as it reduces the overall development time due to the reusability of the components and parallel development. RAD works well only if high skilled engineers are available and the customer is also committed to achieve the targeted prototype in the given time frame

RAD and prototyping both are conceptually very close. Both have as their goal the shortening of time typically needed in a traditional SDLC between the design and implementation of the information system. Ultimately, both RAD and prototyping are trying to meet rapidly changing business requirements more closely.

Object-oriented software tools, reusable software, prototyping, and fourth-generation language tools are helping systems builders create working systems much more rapidly than they could using traditional systems-building methods and software tools. The term rapid application development is used to describe of time. RAD can include the use of visual programming and other tools for building graphical user interfaces, iterative prototyping of key system elements, the automation of program code generation, and class teamwork among end uses and information systems specialists. Simple systems often can be assembled from prebuilt components. The process does not have to be sequential, and key parts of development can occur simultaneously.