Imagine you’re building a skyscraper. In the middle of the process you want to change a few things, but you can’t switch up the design halfway through, right! So, you need to follow the original path from start to finish.
But when you are building software, that isn’t the case. You can change the design, add functionality, remove things you don’t want, all without harming the end product.
That’s the major reason why software needs good development models to be efficient from design to launch. Rapid web development was conceived for this purpose to develop prototypes rapidly for testing functions and features, without having to worry about how the end product will be affected.
But what does rapid web development actually means?
What are the advantages of adopting such a model?
How do you work on rapid web development software?
And how did it become the standard way to develop software?
Let’s discuss these below.
What is rapid web development (RWD)?
RWD, in the broadest sense, means builders or tools that streamline the development process. The RWD model of software development emphasizes on user design cycle prototyping, testing and refining.
Where the waterfall model is planned and rigid, RWD is flexible and responsive to user output. And so, RWD came into existence only after developers realised the above situation.
The major drawback in the waterfall model is that once it has reached the testing phase, it becomes difficult to change the core functions and features of the software.
Do you know the steps for rapid web development ?
Come, let's take a look at those steps.
Although RWD has changed a lot over the years, there are still four basic steps that have remained the same.
1. Define the requirements
2. Prototype
3. Receive feedback
4. Finalize software
Now, let’s take a look at the advantages of RWD that forced the developers to use the RWD model.
Advantages of RWD model
1. Requirements can be changed at anytime
2. Encourages and prioritize customer’s feedback
3. Reviews are really quick
4. Development time has drastically reduced
5. More productivity with fewer people
6. Time between prototypes and iterations is short
7. Integration isn’t a problem, since it integrates from project inception
What is the difference between RWD and other development models?
When compared to the other development models, RWD varies by a considerable amount. Obviously, the major difference is how rapid application development focuses on speed, when compared to other models which usually focus on bringing a working product to the customer.
RWD is also heavily focused on keeping the end user involved throughout the entire stage of the development process. Other models usually only have user input at the beginning and the end of the development cycle.
So, when can you use rapid web development (RWD)?
When you can reliably test your prototypes
If you’ve got a pool of users who can give consistent and reliable feedback on the prototypes you make, then rapid application development is a great model to follow.
Prototypes built through the rapid application development model depend on the feedback from previous iterations, so reliable feedback from dependable sources can be immensely helpful.
When You’ve Got the Budget
Compared to other development models, rapid application development is relatively inexpensive, but there are some instances where RAD can be expensive.
Hiring talented staff means you’ll need to give them appropriate salaries. The bright side is, if you’ve got the staff, you can get the idea from concept to end product a lot quicker than other models.
When You Need a Project Done Quickly
If you’ve got a tight deadline, rapid application development is a best bet. If you’re under pressure to deliver something that works, then opting for a RAD platform can be the best choice.
If you don’t have the time to go through a long requirement planning and design phase, then rapid application development software is your best bet. Rapid application development takes an on-the-fly approach, which makes sense for quick development which can change direction on a dime.
Wrapping up
There isn’t a doubt that using rapid web development tools is the best way to develop software. While it still remains the champion, a lot has changed in the last 20 years.
Our experts can help you with the visual interface tools to create models quickly and easily. If you want to know more about the rapid web development, you can contact us through our website or can just drop a mail at business@illuminz.com
Frequently Asked Question and Answer
Ques: How do you measure the success of a project developed using RWD?
Ans: Success can be measured by evaluating user satisfaction, the speed of delivery, the quality of feedback incorporated, and the ease of making subsequent updates or changes. Metrics like time-to-market, user engagement, and iteration frequency are also valuable.
Ques: What are the key considerations for team structure and roles in RWD?
Ans: An effective RWD team typically includes roles such as product managers, UX designers, developers, QA testers, and user representatives. Each role is crucial for maintaining rapid cycles of development, feedback, and iteration.
Ques: How does RWD approach testing differently compared to traditional models?
Ans: RWD emphasizes continuous testing at every stage of development. This includes unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing, allowing for immediate identification and resolution of issues as they arise.