In early 1994, end-user organizations, and software tool vendors -- joined later by a sprinkling of academics -- established the Dynamic Systems Development Method Consortium. Their goal was "to develop and evolve continuously a public-domain method for rapid application development." Objectives included publishing a framework for the method, promoting it, providing training and certification, and so on.

The first version of the DSDM proposed standard was published early this year. It identifies three factors that are critical for RAD methods: the end-user community must have a committed senior staff that allows developers easy access to end users, the development team must be stable and have well-established skills, and the application area must be commercial, with flexible initial requirements and a clearly defined user group.

Version 2 of the DSDM Manual is scheduled to be published in January 1996. In the interim, the method is being used on a trial basis by DSDM Consortium members with extensive RAD experience who are looking for problems and new ideas. At the same time, working groups are creating material to enhance Version 1 in a range of areas, including system maintenance, reuse, and the relationships of DSDM to other methods.