Which user-oriented method closely resembles a condensed version of the entire SDLC?

Rapid Application Development (RAD) is a user-oriented method that emphasizes quick development and iteration of prototypes to refine requirements through user feedback. It closely resembles a condensed version of the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) because it integrates the stages of planning, designing, coding, testing, and deploying systems into a fast-paced, iterative format.

In RAD, the focus is on creating functional prototypes that users can interact with early in the development process, allowing for adjustments based on user needs and preferences. This approach significantly accelerates the development timeline compared to traditional methodologies, as it reduces the extensive documentation and formal review processes typical of those models, enabling rapid iterations and adaptations.

While models like the Waterfall Model emphasize a sequential development process and the Spiral Model incorporates elements of risk assessment in cycles, they do not allow for the same level of user interaction and iterative feedback inherent to RAD. The Incremental Model, while iterative, does not encapsulate the entire process as concisely or with the same user-focus as RAD does.