Agile Software Development

The digitized era has evolved a range of processes and tools to enhance output quality. Agile Methodology employs shorter, iterative development cycles organized into "sprints" to adapt rapidly to stakeholder needs. This blog elucidates Agile's value proposition for enterprise digital transformation.

What is Agile Methodology?

Agile Methodology is a collection of practices used in project management and software development. It promotes continuous iteration in development and testing throughout the SDLC lifecycle. Agile enables teams to work in smaller increments, optimize performance, and deliver value to customers efficiently. In addition, the team responds to the changes quickly.

Agile Model vs. Waterfall Model

Waterfall and Agile are two potential ways to deliver quality software. While it's obvious which approach is better, depending on the project you take up, the level of clarity, or the number of resources, you can argue both sides.

Benefits of Agile Methodology

Agile Methodology is the process of strategically restructuring the work environment to fit the changing nature of business. The benefits of Agile include -

• The delivery of any software is determined and gives greater attention to the designing phase.
• Stakeholders and the development teamwork in collaboration throughout the process. They are involved at the sprint review meeting to look at the product features and functionalities and check if it meets their expectations. Their feedback can be incorporated at any phase of the development.
• After delivering the features and functionalities to the stakeholders, it enhances their satisfaction level.

• Understanding the concept

Agile is an iterative and incremental process. This means that at the beginning, one must have a well-defined idea of what exactly it's going to create and all of its benefits.

Using agile Methodology will enable businesses to adjust to the constant changes and trends while maintaining productivity and effectively managing projects.

• Inception

A versatile team is indeed the next big step for the success of a project. Having a versatile team means they are accountable from the planning till the delivery phase. Initial requirements must be discussed and decided at this phase.

• Iteration

In a program roadmap, it is necessary to consider the feedback and perform iterations. This approach depends on the amount of input and how significant it is.

• Release

Quality assurance is an essential feature in any business. It allows a company to inspect and test all components, processes (internal and external), and testing before releasing it to the customers or market.

• Production

The production helps you track your product's growth and optimize it for success, ensuring it runs smoothly and aligns with your vision.

• Retirement

The final phase of the Agile Methodology is called 'Closure.' It is a systematic review of the project by the team members and users to ensure it meets the desired goals. Maintaining a structured and organized approach provides stability, ensures continuous delivery, and encourages quality products.

Key Agile Methodologies

Agile software development methodologies are the most popular practices to manage the software development process. However, these Agile methodologies can vary from each other and are a widely debated topic.

1. Scrum

The scrum framework is one of the best Agile methodologies suitable for complex projects. It's used by 58% of the organizations and combines other methodologies.

2. Kanban

Kanban is an agile project management approach that helps you get work done faster and improve your workflow at the same time. It allows your team to focus on what's most important right now, ensuring the correct value is delivered quickly.

3. Lean Software Development

Lean was developed under the Agile Methodology. A project with Lean methodologies has the same values as Agile, such as transparency and adaptability, but it emphasizes eliminating waste to speed up development. Waste is anything that does not contribute to customer satisfaction. Lean focuses on creating value for the customer by continually learning and adapting to change. It also encourages quick delivery of product functionality and customer expectations.

4. Crystal

This Methodology focuses on the development team's interaction with the customers. This Methodology integrates all the individuals of the software development team and increases communication. This Methodology also implements continuous integration and evaluates customer feedback.

Crystal methodology comprises various forms like Crystal Clear, Crystal Red, Crystal Orange, Crystal Yellow, etc. You can choose based on project priorities and team size.

5. Extreme Programming

This software development methodology is helpful for projects with unpredictable requirements or product backlogs and unstable product owners, allowing flexibility in the project's progress.

Extreme programming supports 12 processes for software development:

• Planning Game
• Small Releases
• Customer Acceptance Tests
• Simple Design
• Pair Programming
• Test-Driven Development
• Refactoring
• Continuous Integration
• Collective Code Ownership
• Coding Standards
• Metaphor
• Sustainable Pace

6. Feature Driven Development

Feature-driven development ensures all the necessary changes in the software are performed according to the strategy and design plan developed. This is a very rigorous methodology compared to other methods, which is suitable for an expert team having advanced design skills.

Feature Driven Development breaks down the project into simple steps:

• Model overview
• Build a feature list
• Plan by feature
• Design by feature
• Build by feature

Best Practices of Agile Methodology

Extreme Methodology has become one of the most popular methodologies that every organization should implement in place. Here is a list of a few of the best practices that one should be familiar with.

• Iterative Development

The concept of iterative development depends on breaking a more extensive project into substantially smaller phases. Iterations in repetitive cycles are closely monitored and evaluated to ensure that goals are being achieved. The team is closely associated with the intent and thus understands the functionalities of the project very well.

• Reducing Waste

The concept of reducing waste in Agile is primarily about eliminating non-value-added processes from the workflow that slows down the overall process of meeting requirements.

• Continuous Improvement

A continuous improvement process in Agile Methodology leads to high performance and customer delight through reduced waste.

• Scrum Meetings

A scrum meeting is an essential part of agile development. It's a daily meeting where the team gathers together to do the day's work and discuss any future issues or plans.

• Sprint demo meetings

Sprint demos allow you to clearly explain your product's functionality and obtain a client's confirmation of acceptance.

• Retrospective Meetings

A retrospective meeting is a periodic meeting used to discuss the aspects of the team's processes, tools, and quality of work. It's a group-based activity involving all group members, including clients.

• Burndown Charts

Burndown charts are usually used to give insight into the progress of a project. It effectively shows how much work has been done in a given period and provides a visual depiction of the progress a project is making.

Conclusion

The process of iterative improvement, commonly known as Agile, is a development approach that focuses on short iterations. Iterative improvement is beneficial for the software development process as it gives quality with improved efficiency.

In addition, this ensures the business value to the customer with the product owner's involvement throughout the process.

The blog provides a comprehensive understanding of Agile benefits, methodologies, and best practices followed. So, are you planning to upskill your knowledge in Agile Methodology?