1. INTRODUCTIONCurrently, systems professionals, IT business practitioners, analysts and designers are creating modern and improved techniques for systems development and business information systems engineering field, Beynon-Davies et al (2002). Due to competitive pressures and increasing costs in doing business, organizations are looking for ways of doing business that are efficient and less time consuming, hence Rapid Application Development (RAD) and l Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD), Boehm et al (1997). This essay reviews the history of RAD and OOAD as recently emerged information systems development methodologies, which are distinguished by high use of iterative prototyping and customer involvement, analyzes their characteristics and observes the comparisons between the two.2. RAPID APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT2.1 History of RADIn response to the traditional disadvantages of the life cycle of the 1970s, Barry Boehm presented his spiral model which implemented software prototyping as a means of reducing risk and Tom Gilb's evolutionary life cycle which emanates from the concept of evolutionary prototyping logic where prototypes are built and then developed to become the final product. This earlier work served as the basis for Scott Shultz's Rapid Iterative Production Prototyping (RIPP) project at DuPont. James Martin then expanded the work in 1991 into a more formalized process now called Rapid Application Development (RAD). The RAD approach integrates the development and refinement of data models, process models and prototypes through an iterative process.2.2 Characteristics of RAD Application DevelopmentRapid is a methodology that promises organizations the ability to develop and deploy strategically important systems faster, while simu.... .. middle of paper ......=AXU1tgD23tEC>.16. Rumbaugh, J., Blaha, M., Premerlani, W., Eddy, F. and Lorensen, W. (1991), Object-Oriented Modeling and Design, Prentice-Hall: New Jersey.17. Coad, P. and Yourdon, E. (1991), Object-Oriented Analysis, 2nd edition, Yourdon Press: New Jersey.18. Systems analysis and design written by Alan Dennis and Barbara Haley Wixom. After studying Chapter 1, pages 8-14, 20 and Chapter 16, pages 446-476, 499-501.19. Systems Analysis and Design – An Active Approach George M. Marakas Chapter 1 pages 25, 26, 28 and Chapter 7, pages 196-205.20. Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design: A Structured Approach by Penny A Kendall Chapter 14 pages 406-40821. Methods of System Analysis and Design by Jeffrey L. Witten and Lonnie D. Bentley Chapter 9, pages 316, 317, 345 and Chapter 16 pages 534-549.22. http://www.exsys.com.sg/services/4D%20Princlipals.htm