1. INTRODUCTION Currently, systems professionals, IT professionals, analysts and designers are busy creating modern and improved techniques for systems development and commercial information systems engineering domain, Beynon-Davies et al (2002). Due to competitive pressures and rising costs in doing business, organizations are looking for ways of doing business that are effective and less time consuming, hence Rapid Application Development (RAD) and object-oriented analysis and design ( OOAD), Boehm et al (1997). This essay traces the history of RAD and OOAD as recently emerged information systems development methodologies distinct for use at high levels of iterative prototyping and customer engagement, analyzes their characteristics, and observes comparisons between the two.2. RAPID APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT2.1 History of RADIn response to the drawbacks of the traditional life cycle of the 1970s, Barry Boehm introduced his Spiral Model which implemented software prototyping as a way to reduce risk and Evolutionary Life Cycle by Tom Gilb which emanates from the concept of logical evolutionary prototyping whereby prototypes are built and then developed into the final product. This earlier work formed the basis for Rapid Iterative Production Prototyping (RIPP) by Scott Shultz at DuPont. James Martin then extended the work done in 1991 into a more formalized process now called Rapid Application Development (RAD). The RAD approach incorporates the development and refinement of data models, process models and prototypes through an iterative process.2.2 Characteristics of RADRapid Application Development is a methodology that promises organizations the ability to develop and deploy strategically important systems more quickly, while simu.... .. half of the sheet ......=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 System Analysis and Design: A Structured Approach by Penny A Kendall Chapter 14 pages 406-40821. System Analysis and Design Methods 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%20Principals.htm