Rapid Software Development Techniques

Presently, the need for developing software addressing shifting needs, rapid analysis, easy risk management and adaptability to changing environment, has turned into an irrefutable principle. Initial comprehensive planning and pre-production heavy design which are common to heavy-load methods can no longer respond to such needs. The high volume of documentations generated in these methods, could increasingly reduce the pace of system development. For reasons stated, innovative techniques for software development becomes imperative. In recent years, new methods based on the needs stated have been developed. These methods are known as light-weight methods. These methods in addition of expediting software analysis and development stages, can concurrently adapt the project with new changes and needs during the production process. Due to the absence of any clear-cut frame-work for software development using light-weight methods, it is a difficult task to evaluate and adopt any particular method based on project attributes. Following a comprehensive analysis of rapid methods and review of strengths and weaknesses of each, the present paper provides a comprehensive comparison based on 16 main criteria. Therefore, it makes it easy to choose an appropriate method based on special requirements of a given project.