It’s a project management method! As early as the 1980s, the RAD and JAD methods were implementing practices that wouldn’t be formally codified for another 15 years by Agile methodologies.

The JAD Method

The JAD (Joint Application Development) method allows for the design of information systems through collaborative work sessions. This method brings together the client, end-users, and IT professionals.

Its impact is two-fold:

• Participatory: It links all members associated with the project.
• Accelerated: The approach advocates for an analysis phase consisting of short workshops. The goal is to gather the business requirements for your application in record time, iterating as necessary.

JAD is a methodology that prioritizes the people involved over the technology itself. Every member has a voice and contributes to the group dynamic, which optimizes the overall productivity of the team. However, this requires exhaustive preparation and the use of visual aids during the workshops.

The core tenet of this method is discussion. To move a project forward quickly, individual ideas and skills must be pooled. This is why the approach recommends holding as many meetings as required.

To ensure workshop objectives are met, the JAD method suggests assigning specific roles to each member. Here are the key participants in a JAD meeting:

• The Facilitator (Session Leader): Maintains group cohesion and refocuses the discussion when necessary.
• The Scribe: Records all discussions.
• The Project Manager: Manages the overall project.
• End-User Representatives.
• The (System) Analyst.
• Programmers / Developers: Present to evaluate the technical feasibility of the project.
• The Sponsor: The one who initiates and funds the project.

The goal of these meetings is to define the project objectives and boundaries to ensure the project starts without obstacles. The topics to be addressed during the first JAD workshop are also predefined by the method:

• Project objectives.
• Risk factors.
• Deliverables: What form will the final project take?
• Participant selection.
• Planning for project evaluation.

The RAD Method

The RAD (Rapid Application Development) method acts as a complement to JAD. Unlike JAD, RAD focuses on the technical side of the project. This methodology was created to significantly reduce design and implementation time by leveraging the participants from the JAD meetings.

This method is built on several key pillars:

• Organization.
• Definition of objectives.
• System design.
• Implementation.
• System delivery.

This approach emphasizes organizing meetings with all project members to improve the flow of information necessary for project completion, thereby making the team more productive. Based on our experience with this method, creating small teams is key to effective communication. The more people you include in your workshops, the less efficient they become.

How does this methodology work?

RAD relies on short cycles and continuous production. Meticulous organization is mandatory to effectively combine resources, tools, and project management.

Because RAD focuses on speed, it is not recommended for innovation. It is intended to rectify or correct known problems within your systems.

In conclusion, these two methodologies complement each other but are only effective when used wisely. When needs are unclear, you must take the time to identify them thoroughly before choosing the right method.