What is Agile Methodology in Software Development?

Being a project manager, you are aware of the fact of how important the software development process is? Your software development process should constantly be changing as per your company’s needs. You have also experienced that the companies who use the latest or advanced software development processes are always one step ahead of the companies with the traditional development processes. Our today’s topic is focused on the trending software development process– Agile Methodology.

Agile methodology is a process for designing, developing, delivering, and testing high-quality software at a minimum cost in the shortest possible time.

Agile methods can be used in both project management as well as in software development. The agile model, based on the principle of the Agile Manifesto, was created to cope with the inadequacies in the Waterfall Model. The agile model was officially launched in 2001.

Agile Methodology Popularity

Check out the google search trend of Agile Methodology on Google Trends.

How is the waterfall model used for software development before the agile model?

In the very beginning, the waterfall model was in the power that was followed for the software development by the software developers. Waterfall methodologies follow the linear sequential lifecycle model for the software development process. Due to the drawbacks in the waterfall model, the agile model was released.

Read More: Waterfall Model: A Better Way for Software Development

Drawbacks of Waterfall model

• Waterfall models follow the sequential design process.
• Not an ideal model for large scale projects.
• No changes can be made once the process is started.
• A less effective method for software development
• Very difficult to make changes in the previous stages once it is done.
• High risk of bugs.

What is the Agile Manifesto?

Agile Manifesto is declarative documentation of values and principles for the agile methodology. It consists of four fundamental values and 12 key principles.

Agile Manifesto Values

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
• Working software over comprehensive documentation
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
• Responding to change over following a plan

Agile Manifesto Principles

• Customer satisfaction through early and continuous software delivery
• Simplicity
• Accommodate changing requirements throughout the development process
• Collaboration between business stakeholders and developers throughout the project
• Frequent delivery of working software
• Support, trust, and motivate the people involved
• Enable face-to-face interactions
• Working software is the primary measure of progress
• Attention to technical detail and design enhances agility
• Self-organizing teams encourage great architectures, requirements, and designs
• Regular reflections on how to be more effective
• Agile processes to support a consistent development pace.

What is Agile Methodology in Project Management?

Agile methodology hasn’t any specific definition. But, Agile Methodology refers to the software development process, which is centered around the ides of iterative development. Agile methodology is an iterative development process that values human communication and feedback, adapting to change, and producing fantastic working results. Agile Definition according to the project management process,

Agile is a process by which a team can be divided into several stages to manage a software project, include regular collaboration with clients and continuous improvements and iterations at every software development stage. The agile model works on six deliverables to track the progress of software development.

• Product vision statement- Summary of product and software development goals.
• Product roadmap- Requirement analysis for software development.
• Product backlog- Prioritization of the essential points.
• Release plan- Releasing timetable for the final working products.
• Sprint backlog- Current sprint’s goals, requirements, and tasks to be done.
• Increment-  The final working product which is going to be presented to the clients or customers.

What are Agile Frameworks or Agile Methods?

Agile is a flexible and iterative methodology for software development and project management processes. As we all know, Agile works on four values and 12 principles, so to achieve those 12 principles, it has several agile frameworks. These agile frameworks are used to develop and deliver a product or a service.

Some of the popular agile frameworks are:

• Scrum Method
• Kanban Method
• Extreme Programming(XP)
• Crystal Method
• Dynamic Software Development Method(DSDM)
• Feature Driven Development(FDD) Method

Agile Scrum Method

Agile Scrum Method is one of the most popular agile frameworks used to implement agile software development ideas. Agile scrum framework is based on five values: commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect. The agile development company most widely uses the agile scrum method. Agile Scrum Method is a team-centric framework, involves the well-defined team roles and responsibilities to implement the software development process.

Scrum team roles

• Product owner
• Development team
• Scrum master

Scrum events

• Sprint
• Sprint planning
• Daily scrum
• Sprint review
• Sprint retrospective

Scrum Artifacts

• Product backlog
• Sprint backlog

Kanban Method

Kanban method is quite similar to the scrum method; its main objective is to support teams working at top-level efficiency. Its main focus is to streamline the workflow. Kanban method works on six general principles: visualization, limiting work in progress, flow management, making policies explicit, using feedback loops, and collaborative or experimental evolution.

Kanban Board

Kanban board is a visual management tool used for the visualization of the development process.

Kanban Cards

Kanban cards are used to depict the team’s communication progress information, including status, cycle time, and impending deadlines.

Kanban Swimlanes

The element that distinguishes the tasks’ categories and arranges them accordingly.

Extreme Programming(XP) Method

Extreme Programming Method is also known as the XP framework. XP framework is ideal for the project where continuous value delivery for the projects is the primary objective. Extreme Programming method works on engineering practices like the planning game, small releases, metaphor, simple design, testing, refactoring, pair programming, collective ownership, continuous integration, 40-hour week, on-site customer, coding standard.

Crystal Method

Crystal method or framework also dedicates a high level of focus to the project teams, as it is guided by factors such as team size, system criticality, and project priorities. Crystal method flow includes the three main phases, these are

Chartering includes the creation of a development team, identifying the project’s feasibility, and strengthening the development process.
Cyclic delivery includes building updates and releasing plans, test iteration integrations, and product delivery to users.
Wrap Up includes the deployment and performing post-development reviews.

Dynamic Software Development Method(DSDM)

DSDM stands for the Dynamic Software Development Method. Like XP and FDD, its main objective is to provide regular delivery and clear communication with stakeholders. DSDM’s primary focus is to deliver the product on time within the budget.

DSDM best practices

• facilitated workshops
• modeling and iterative development
• timeboxing
• Moscow prioritization

Main DSDM phases

• Pre-project
• Feasibility study
• Business study
• Functional model iteration
• Design and development iteration
• Implementation
• Post-project

Feature Driven Development(FDD) Method

Feature Driven Development Method is also known with the name of the FDD framework. FDD framework is a client-centric that pays special attention to stakeholder’s engagement. Thus, it delivers value to the stakeholders throughout the development process. In actuality, FDD is a lightweight iterative and incremental software development process.

FDD best practices

• Domain object modeling
• Developing by features
• Component/Class ownership
• Feature teams
• Inspections
• Configure management
• Regular builds
• Visibility of progress and results

These are the most popular agile frameworks that are mostly used by agile software development companies around the world. The good news about these agile frameworks is that you can collectively use the agile frameworks in your projects.

Final Thoughts

No doubt, agile methodology is an effective process for the software development teams looking for flexible approaches for agile software development services. Today, the agile model has gained huge popularity in the software development world as it offers effective communications within the software development teams and ensures better quality results. If you are looking for agile software development services, then contact the expert and dedicated developers of a web development company, Tekki Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd is known as the best custom software development company.

Read More: Top 6 Free and Open Source Project Management Software for Your Small Business