In today’s competitive world, rapid application development platform helps business provide software and features in short span of time. Rapid application development methodologies help meet the expectations of customers and stakeholders in this ambitious technology area.
Technology is continuously evolving and allows the designing of new software to streamline business processes. Reducing the project turnaround time and improving the go-to-market timelines are necessary. Businesses must require the impetus to improve revenues and ensure customer satisfaction.
A Rapid Application Development platform can help, which focuses on developing software prototypes faster. It also allows a continuous feedback mechanism that enables frequent improvements which align with the industry requirements. It is adaptive and adopts an agile methodology to help create workable solutions.
Phases of Rapid Application Development
You can envisage RAD going through four phases.
- The planning phase is the most critical in the RAD method. The project team can understand the client’s requirements and determine the project scope. It allows the stakeholders to discuss the optimal techniques to deliver the outcomes faster. It can help minimize changes and provides a transparent understanding of the project’s needs.
- Once the requirements are frozen, you must move forward with the user design. The developers work on prototypes with ongoing iterations. The client can contact the project team to provide the needed inputs. The process is transparent and can help create the optimal design for the client.
- Now, you can create a working model aligned with the client’s needs. The design stage addresses most of the issues. You must request feedback and undertake any alterations needed. There can be a few concepts that may not function as desired.
- When the final changes are incorporated, the product is ready to be launched. It involves data conversion techniques to detect any further bugs in the system. After addressing the issues, the application moves to a live system where experts can ensure scalability. You can undertake user training and documentation before handing it over to the client.
Various RAD Tools You Can Use
The use of open-source rapid application development platform arises from the need to focus more on designing the prototype than on concentrating on hardcore planning. We will use some of the tools you can use.
No-Code Development Platforms
These platforms allow enterprises to experience a faster turnaround of their software projects without coding. It will enable a WYSIWYG editor with drag and drop features to help design applications faster. This is going to be a popular alternative to traditional programming methods. It is ideal for small businesses that find it challenging to have a full-blown project team. It can allow you to equip more employees to design the applications you will need. No-code platform ensures faster application development that supports personalized features and workflows. However, it provides fewer customization options than low-code platforms.
Low Code Development Platforms
The low code platforms allow you to develop applications with minimal coding. It is more flexible than no-code options. These platforms offer a visual model for software development that optimizes the delivery process and accelerates project outcomes. It allows you to automate the application lifecycle and streamline solution deployment. Your employees need not have exhaustive knowledge of programming languages. It will enable you to design applications with minimal integrations and scripts. These solutions allow you to develop more at scale and deliver continuous improvements to end-users.
When you Must Choose a Rapid Application Development Platform
Remember that you can choose this approach only when the stakeholders are open to accepting it as a relevant deployment model. You must first ask yourself whether the client is willing to accept this approach and collaborate with your team throughout the project lifecycle. This approach is ideal for applications that require constant change. Traditional methods would take up considerable time and make the project fruitless.
You can use the RAD method for businesses that develop customer-facing apps with high visibility. There can be high disruption due to the adoption of new technologies. You must also assess whether you have the right tools for this methodology. Moreover, it is necessary to ascertain the technical risks associated with it. Go for it only when you know that the risks are low.
It is often used for IT modernization projects and can help businesses develop applications based on integrations. There are use cases where the development team expects technology uniformity with significant collaboration among the project team members. It can help developers with a short turnaround time and deliver a workable solution faster. It can allow you to test your prototypes reliably with feedback from the earlier versions.
Advantages of Using Rapid Application Development Platform
Better Efficiency
A RAD model allows developers to break their activities into manageable tasks. One of the benefits is that it will enable team leaders to allocate the activities based on the team member’s skill set. It enhances the team’s efficiency as jobs are issued based on the specific skills and experience of the group. The RAD platforms allow reusing components; when you reuse the tested components, you save time. The team can now work on more critical portions of product development.
Faster Adjustments and Delivery
One of the critical benefits of a RAD platform is that it can deliver the software faster. RAD platforms are more iterative and can help developers reach the end goal more quickly. It is essential to note that the requirements may change as the development process continues. RAD allows you to use a framework that can enable adjustments in the middle of a project. They are adopted quickly as the project continues.
Lower Costs Across the Application Lifecycle
The use of RAD can shorten the development timelines considerably. Even if the client requires to incorporate significant changes, there is no need to re-do the entire project. When you use RAD applications, the maintenance activities become faster. Using containers and PaaS is an integral part of RAD. It reduces the need for elaborate infrastructure. The business can leverage the benefits of faster time to market and implementation periods to ensure the achievement of business goals before schedule.
Enhance Risk Mitigation Techniques
RAD methodologies have a keen focus on client feedback. It can control risk effectively by considering the risk factors and adjusting based on clear evidence. Cleverly curated prototypes can help developers have accurate information about the dangers across the application delivery lifecycle. Modify the prototypes based on risks that can appear across the development cycle. RAD methods can help you focus on all the threats as soon as you encounter them.
Adoption of Improved Technologies
Many developers work on rapidly changing technologies. It is risky to work back and make the required changes. When using RAD methods, evaluating new technologies is easy. There can be frequent updates in development, and you can have the ideal product which aligns with the client’s requirements. By using RAD platforms, developers can focus on areas that offer them a challenge.
HCL Domino Enriches the Ecosystem for Developers
HCL Domino powers the applications across your operations and can enrich the development ecosystem for professional developers. It is a collaborative low-code option easily compatible with web and mobile options. Businesses can lower the costs of ownership of the applications.
Business users can build powerful applications through reusable components and drag-and-drop tools. You can keep the applications up to date through browser updates. Your data remains secure while you can leverage its advancement across the product lifecycle. According to one of its clients, HCL Domino is a stable and secure platform allowing you to migrate and upgrade smoothly. (Source: G2)
Conclusion
Businesses must have a faster turnaround for designing software prototypes. They can choose a Rapid Application Development platform based on ongoing feedback, use of reusable code, faster prototypes, etc. Remember that the procedure will require ample client involvement and comprehensive project handling capabilities.
HCL Domino provides a stable platform to help you use reusable components and speed up the project lifecycle. The rapid application development software can allow you to make changes seamlessly and help you address changing business requirements. Enterprises can readily harness the low code platform and handle customizable workflows better.
Are you facing problems with long project timelines? Curtail project costs and timelines by moving to HCL Domino. Contact us for further details.
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