Architected Rapid Application Development (ARAD) is a term coined in 2004 by Michael Blechar of Gartner (http://www.gartner.com) to describe an approach to software development which involves using abstract design patterns and frameworks to automate the task of generating the high-level language code required to implement commercial software applications. Gartner's clients who use ARAD tools report returns on investment ranging from 2:1 to 15:1.

The earliest pioneer of this approach, dating back to 1986, was Synon Corporation, whose products AllFusion 2E and AllFusion Plex are now distributed by Computer Associates.

AllFusion Plex, one of the ARAD products about which Gartner has received consistently positive feedback, was launched by Synon in 1994, and is the direct descendant of AllFusion 2E, which was launched in 1986.

Other tools cited by Gartner are Compuware's OptimalJ and IBM's Rational Rapid Developer.