Agile Software Development: Main Use Cases
According to the annual PMI’s Pulse of the Profession report, 48 percent of projects miss deadlines, 43 percent exceed budget, and 31 percent fail to meet the project’s initial goals.
Modern project managers are obviously struggling to find a road to success, which is why an increasing number of them are implementing Agile methodology for their software development projects.
Agile is one of the simplest yet most effective methodologies for delivering high-quality software development services and solutions. When used correctly, Agile allows for efficient, flexible, and error-proof software development teams management. However, somewhere along the way, people begin to overcomplicate things.
Below are the most frequently asked questions about Agile methodology, answered by our key experts.
What Is Agile Software Development?
Agile methodology differs from the once-dominant Waterfall approach. Software development teams that use the Waterfall process create highly detailed specifications (SRS) and functionality requirements. After that, the software development process is divided into milestones and is conducted until a “finished” product is released.
The more sophisticated the software is, the more difficult it is to create upfront specifications that cover all the details and foresee what features users will really need. As software is becoming more and more complicated over time, Agile software development methodology is becoming more prevailing than a Waterfall approach. With the constantly changing requirements, it is difficult to predict what features users might need in the end. Thus most businesses prefer to create an MVP version to test drive their solution and get user feedback at the very beginning. That’s where the Agile approach comes into place, being an iterative methodology that allows for developing software that focuses on delivering a minimal viable product (MVP) and then modifying and adding features in phases based on user feedback. This methodology helps to reduce the risk of wasting the budget and producing a digital product based on erroneous assumptions about the functionality that users need. Besides, cross-functional team collaboration is an often practice in the Agile methodology.
In a non-Agile methodology like Waterfall, there can be minimal collaboration across development teams. It’s a much more linear process, similar to what you would find in a manufacturing production line, where the development team conceptualizes, designs, and develops comprehensive specifications for a product. The specifications are then forwarded to software developers and designers, who create their own pieces, which are then assembled. After that, the software is passed on to QA and testing teams, followed by an operations team that deploys the software as a live product.
Agile vs Waterfall: which project management methodology is better for software development? Read here.
Agile facilitates a disciplined project management process that enables regular checks and modifications, a leadership philosophy that encourages teamwork, and a business approach that aligns development with customer needs and company goals. In Agile development, there is constant back-and-forth interaction and frequent cross-over between teams. It is a cyclical process, where first the team creates an MVP, then revisions it and plans future changes.
What Is Agile Used For?
Many companies are utilizing Agile methodology to improve team performance, customer satisfaction and increase project flexibility. Companies that have adopted Agile are able to adjust more quickly to market changes and complete more projects effectively. Priorities and requirements can easily be adjusted throughout the project to meet the needs of the stakeholders.
Agile is a great approach to clear up any misconceptions and misunderstandings and speed up the development process. Agile projects place a greater emphasis on completing tasks rather than planning and documenting them. With each iteration or sprint, the team’s efforts are focused on producing and delivering working software.
When the product concept or features aren’t clearly defined, Agile is the right approach to use. It allows business owners to change requirements and objectives as the project progresses, allowing them to leverage opportunities and ultimately deliver a better product.
Download our Full Guide and learn more on the 12 Agile Principles.
Key Agile Software Development Phases
The Agile software development life cycle is a set of steps that a product goes through as it progresses from conception to completion: concept, inception, iteration, release, maintenance, and retirement.
Requirements
Stakeholders examine the whole project to determine the amount of time and resources needed to complete the development process. At the same time, the owner evaluates the risks and prioritizes the various functions based on their importance to the company.
Design
The business owner meets with the software development team and walks them through the requirements outlined in the first step. The team then determines the sequence of development