Advantages:

• Creates a partial system for the purpose of learning more about the system requirements.

• Good when written specifications would be hard to read or ambiguous.

• Can be used as part of a feasibility analysis.

• Can be used as a precursor to any other life cycle.

• User interface can be quickly designed.

• Formal methodologies such as Joint Application Design (JAD) use rapid prototyping.

• Functionality can be quickly demonstrated.

Disadvantages:

• Encourages unrealistic expectations about how quickly a system can be developed.

• Prototypes are “quick and dirty” and should not evolve into the end product.

The disadvantages of Rapid Prototyping become critical unless expectations about schedule are kept controlled.