Businesses are hiring mobile app development Services be it Android or iPhone app development services to get their business online and be accessible to the target audience and the existing customer base 24*7. Considering the market need, the IT sector has been researching and creating innovative technologies and methodologies to build advanced products. One such methodology is RAD, which is Rapid Application Development. If you are an IoT app development company or a blockchain development company, RAD will be helpful to you. Let us explore more about the RAD methodology, right from its meaning, scope, history, usage, and benefits.
Definition of Rapid Application Development.
It is an agile app development methodology, Rapid Application Development (RAD) can prioritize rapid prototype releases and paths. RAD relies on the use of software and feedback rather than going by rigid planning needs and recordings, like other app development methodologies such as the Waterfall method.
Some of the key benefits and advantages of RAD are:
Improve flexibility and adaptability of the application as it is easier for developers to accept changes and adapt to new demands during the development process.
RAD allows you faster iterations that lead to lesser development time and the app can be delivered in time.
It allows the codes to be used again, this saves development time, no need for manual coding, more accuracy, and a short testing period.
Business stakeholders or app users can collaborate with each other and communicate easily which adds to customer satisfaction.
Easy communication and collaboration between stakeholders mean better decisions making and lesser risk. Issues can be resolved and decisions can be made while the development process is still on.
RAD enables mobile application development services to make integrations in the software development process at an early stage, unlike other methodologies.
Let us now understand every phase of Rapid Application Development.
Step 1. Map project requirements
This is the step where stakeholders of the development process will conduct discussions, define project goals, finalize project requirements, deadlines, expectations, budget, etc. When each component of the project requirement is clear, well defined, and approved by the stakeholders, you can go to the next step and get the higher management's approval.
Step 2: Development of prototypes
Once you are done with defining project requirements, you can confidently start the actual development process. Here, your whole team of developers along with designers will work together to build and upgrade working prototypes until the final software is ready. An ios application development company that works together on the product is most likely to build a robust product as every member actively contributed to the process.
Step 3: collect user feedback
This is the step where you have to convert the prototypes you created in the previous stage (along with beta systems) into the working models. This model is then shared with users to receive their feedback and suggestions depending upon which the developers will make changes in the prototype or improve it to ensure that the client gets the best software.
Step 4: Testing
Actually, we can write it in capital letters as the process is crucial in any app/software/web development activity. This is the step where an IoT App Development company will test your software, and make sure that all the components are working as per the plan/goals. In this stage, you will continue integrating client feedback into the development process and then test and retest it until the final product is made as per the expectations.
Step 5: presentation
It is the final phase of RAD for iOS applications. This is the pre-launch stage where user training and data conversion is done.
After understanding every phase in the RAD, let us know the checklist to follow to ensure if the ios application development company you are partnering with is ready.
Whether the timeline for software development is short or big.
Are you partnering with a professional mobileapplication development services provider?
Does the company have a team of expert coders, and designers who are able to complete the work in the given time?
Is the company flexible and communicative?
Does the company have the right tools, talent, and technology to implement RAD?
Even after going through the checklists you think that RAD is the right development approach for you, here is what you can do next:
Make sure the company you are collaborating with has a robust team and you conduct transparent communication throughout the development process.
Talk to the team about your business goals, ideas, and development approach. Take their expert insights and suggestions, sit together, and finalize the mapping of the development.
Ensure every member of the development team is on the same page.
The history of RAD
Traditionally used product development lifecycle which was introduced in the 1970s, is still popularly used today. This lifecycle is based upon a planned, step-by-step development approach.
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Structured developmental sequence planned with every rigid step makes it compulsory for a user to "sign-off" every time after concluding each specification. The developer has to sign off before he/she goes to the step of the process.
The goals and design are then fixed and accordingly the system is coded, tested, and deployed. In this traditional development approach, delays seem inevitable, and a lot of time is spent before the client gets the final product. Such delays don't leave a good impression on the client, and sometimes if the delay is longer the business might change its approach and goals.
To get rid of these issues and find a better alternative to the step-by-step, rigid, cascading, Waterfall Models of software development, Barry Boehm introduced the Spiral Model of app development. This model is risk-driven instead of code-driven. Spiral models use process modeling as compared to methodology phases. What Boehm tried to do with this development approach is to implement software prototyping. This helped in reducing the risk. In the Spiral Model, the product is categorized into different parts throughout the development process. This is done to perform risk analysis and prototyping at each level of development. There is one more development life cycle introduced by Tom Gilb. This is the Evolutionary Life Cycle that is based on an evolutionary prototyping approach where the prototype is developed and improved or modified into the market-ready product.
RAD, on the other hand, integrates the step-by-step development of traditional methodology into an iterative process. The RAD methodology blends both developing and refining the data models, along with process models, and prototypes parallel in an iterative process. Here, user expectations are fine-tuned, the product is designed & prototyped, this prototype is then reviewed, user input is collected, and the development of the final product re-starts.
Which Tools Can Be Used for Rapid Application Development by an IoT App Development company?
The market is hungry for advanced technologies and a perfect application or software is always loved in the market. Traditional or old technologies can no longer keep up with the demanding market. This is exactly where the RAD approach of development is going to pay off.
Rapid Application Development is a modern software development methodology that focuses on rapid development and fast feedback instead of relying on planning and step-by-step designing specifications. In RAD, the software is quickly delivered to the users in order to receive direct feedback from them and implement the feedback in the development process. Rapid Application Development offers mobile application development services providers with a methodology to develop software faster. Such software is more efficient, flexible, and user-friendly. Plus, the businesses do not have to invest huge amounts here in the development process.
If you are one such business that is looking forward to undertaking the RAD iOS application development process, then you can make use of the following tools to initiate your RAD process. These tools are not only popular but reliable and robust tools. These are perfect for your application development process. In case you are hiring a Blockchain development company or a mobile application development services provider, make sure they are using one of the following tools for RAD.
Kissflow
Here is another popular and investment-worthy Rapid Application Development tool. It is a fully loaded business management software or tool that is designed to let developers build processes and workflows as per their wish. This tool can be used to customize pre-built application templates according to specific objectives. This tool is perfect for you if you wish to conduct a simple and easy app development process. This same approach gets reflected in the final application too.
It lets developers work from anywhere using any device, thanks to its single sign-on feature. Kiss flow also has it's Android and iOS app to make it possible. Kiss flow also offers easy integration with third-party tools like Zapier.
OutSystems
Here is the tool that is designed specifically to work with the Rapid Application Development methodology. It offers an IoT App Development companywith attractive high-end features that can be used to build, install, and manage enterprise-level applications easily and effectively. Like any other best RAD tool, this tool also facilitates easy integration. If your developer needs to use different systems for some parts of your work, this tool will seamlessly incorporate those which offer you a smooth development experience.
It also facilitates fast prototyping with consistent feedback and communication to develop every function and feature of the application. All of this is gone in a secured environment. No need of making an investment or wasting time on a complicated intranet setup.
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Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is undoubtedly one of the trustworthy and most popular rapid application development tools available in the market. The tool is rightly popular for all good reasons. Zoho Creator offers a robust list of features to develop business applications and customize them as per the will and wish of the business/developers.
One of the attractive functionalities offered by Zoho is its drag-and-drop interface that permits even layman people to build business applications without needing to understand the programming language or related knowledge. Inexperienced developers can use pre-built modules of the Zoho Creator to leverage particular functionalities if they want. Some features offered by this RAD tool also helps in collecting data, planning personal workflows, and fixing certain rules for every application, etc. These features make Zoho Creator desirable for the RAD process.
Bizagi
iPhone app development services providers can use this RAD tool for various valid reasons. This is a BPM suite that is used to automate business workflow and customize it.
It comes with a number of attractive features like:
Process simulator,
Team collaboration tool
Designed tools, etc.
Using Bizagi, you can generate custom reports and analytics. Measuring productivity is possible with this tool. If you are looking for a business management tool that can take care of RAD too, Bizagi is your solution.
Appian
Last but not least is Appian. Appian focuses on fast and easy application development. It is one of the popular RAD tools in the market. Its solutions come under the drag and drop method rather than coding. It focuses on the convenience of the developers and end-users. Even laymen can give it a try. Apart from this, it offers easy integration with third-party tools
Conclusion:
Rapid Application Development has become successful in achieving its goals that are to reduce the development cost and easy development process without compromising with the quality of the product. It mitigates the project time-line and reduces the need for more human resources to get involved in the development process.
This methodology does not shy away from asking for feedback or suggestions from the end-users. Users' involvement in the entire development process is welcome. This helps the RAD process as it not only improves the development process but also ensures the acceptance of the final users.
Mobile app development Services providers can rely on this development method and mentioned RAD tools to build a reliable, robust, interactive, and quality application. And all of this can be achieved with the utmost productivity with the minimum cost incurred.
