What is Agile methodology in Software Development?

The agile methodology in software development is a way to manage the project by dividing it into several phases. It is adopted by big companies such as Adobe, Zomato, Ericsson, Cisco, and Lego Digital solutions; the agile projects are nearly 1.5X more successful. 

Consider this or not, but in 2023 communication is going to be key to staying ahead in the competition, and agile with its core value of “continuous collaboration” will be the best methodology.  That is going to assist in the efficient development of high-quality products guaranteeing 60% growth in revenue and profits.

If you are fascinated by these stats and want to know what agile methodology is? And how it can help you in streamlining your processes and generating more profits. Then we welcome you to this blog because here we are going to discuss what is agile, its types, and why you should use the agile methodology.

So gear up because we are going to start with basics.

What is Agile Methodology in Software Development?

The real definition of agile can be found in the Agile Manifesto and according to it, agile is not just a method. At its core, agile development methodology emphasizes the need for flexibility to carry out the smooth development of a solution or a product. 

This approach requires a cultural shift in many businesses mainly because it focuses on the delivery of software in individual parts and phases. The basic idea of agile methodology in software engineering is continuous collaboration - where the team follows a cycle of planning, execution, and evaluation. 

However, there are different types of agile which make it a much more convenient choice for companies in project management.  Software and web app development companies prefer to use agile methodology because they engage their clients at each step of the process- showing them the pieces rather than presenting the whole project at once. This continuous feedback helps in constantly improving the product before the finalization. 

We have listed down the types of agile methodology and in our opinion, Scrum is the best 👌option. But you can read and find out which is the best for you.

What Are the Types of Agile Methodology? 

Here are some of the agile methodology types we have listed for you. 

Scrum

In the agile methodology, the number one position is occupied by Scrum. Here you split the work into manageable parts known as sprints. The sprint is a specific period in which the team works to finish an assigned amount of work. Also, there is a Scrum Master who is in charge of organizing the work.

Kanban

Kanban is a workflow project management method that helps in the visualization of the work. In this technique, the companies mostly use a board divided into three columns. The most common divisions are To Do, In Progress, and Complete. The overflow in a particular column portrays where the team must work.

Extreme Programming

Extreme Programming encourages communication from both sides: the clients and the developers. This methodology prioritizes client satisfaction and emphasizes communication, feedback, and respect. Here teamwork is crucial and the entire team is responsible for the final product.

Crystal 

The Crystal methodology is a group of small approaches and each approach has a different set of guidelines. It emphasizes the principle of People, Interactions, Community, Skills, Communication & Talent. In the crystal, interaction is the heart of the development process.

Lean

It is a software development technique that has seven essential principles such as

• Deleting the non-required things
• Quality development,
• Swift delivers
• Optimization of the process
• Varying commitments
• Team Respect
•  Knowledge creation.

Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)

The Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) came to fulfill the need to deliver quality products. This originated in response to the demand for standardization of the processes. It focuses on eight principles 

• Collaboration
• Timely delivery
• Comprehension of business needs
• Continuous communication
• Control
• Negotiate quality
• Firm associations
• Expansion iteratively

Feature Driven Development (FDD)

This approach is a feature-driven development,  the FDD focuses on the design strategy of each model feature. It has fundamental activities such as

• Development of an overall model
• Constructing a feature list
• Planning and designing
• Building features part by part                          

12 Principles of Agile Methodology

The Agile software development principles were first outlined in the Agile Manifesto. This agile methodology's 12 principles emphasize things like incessant attention to detail, technical excellence, and continuous delivery.

How to use Agile Methodology in Software Development?

The software development life cycle involves several stages and these stages are in accordance with the method you decide to use. Software companies usually use agile methodology steps to bring more clarity and transparency for a company as well as for the client.

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Whilst, the companies with in-house teams go for a waterfall where the final product is revealed at the end. Here are some of the steps involved in the agile approach. However, the agile life cycle may vary depending on the type you select.

1. Concept

The first step in this approach is the concept phase. Here a product owner will state the scope of their project. At this stage, they also discuss the key requirements and prepare documentation to outline them. Also, including features of the end product, time, and cost.  These details decide the feasibility of the project before the commencement of work. 

2. Inception

The actual development of the product is initiated as per the outlined concept. In this stage, the teams are selected, and necessary tools and resources are provided so the team can start the design process. The mock-up is prepared and input from the stakeholders is taken. Regular check-ins are preferred here to follow up with the client's requirements.

3. Iteration

It is the most prolonged phase where developers work with UX designers to convert the design into code. Whilst, keeping in view the client's requirements in view. The goal is to build the bare functionality of the product by the end of the first iteration. The customer feedback is key and the tweaks and the additional features can be added in later iterations.

4. Release

Here the product is ready for release but the quality assurance team performs tests to detect bugs or defects. Also, to determine the cleanliness of the code and see if the software is fully functional. The user training will also take place at this stage which requires more documentation. After the completion of this phase, the product’s final iteration can then be released.

5. Maintenance

At this stage, the software is fully deployed and is also available to customers. During this stage, software maintenance will be ensured in addition to bug killing. Training for users is also provided to ensure they know how to use the product. And new iterations can take place to refresh & upgrade the existing software to add additional features.

Why use Agile Software Development Methodology?

The companies that adopted the agile software development methodology reported 60% growth in revenue and profit- indubitably, agile is your gateway to success and prosperity. 

Don’t believe us! Here are some points we have gathered for you to ponder

• It helps teams enhance the quality of their software at each stage of release.
• This methodology identifies the bottlenecks and makes data-driven decisions to correct them.
• Agile measures the team’s performance and ensures the completion of projects within budget.
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the 3 benefits of an agile approach?

Here are the 3 benefits of an agile approach to software development:

• Flexibility: The agile approach allows teams to adapt to changes quickly and easily, which makes it easier to respond to customer needs and market changes.
• Collaboration: Agile promotes collaboration between team members and stakeholders, which helps improve communication and knowledge sharing, resulting in better outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement: Agile encourages teams to continuously learn and improve their processes, which leads to better quality products and services and helps teams stay ahead of the competition.

2. What is the advantage of agile?

Agile project management follows an iterative approach, where each cycle aims to enhance processes continuously. By prioritizing quality control and consistent improvement, Agile methodologies uphold one of their fundamental principles, leading to the development of superior products.

3. Why is agile more successful?

Teams to develop the product according to the customer's expectations. Failure to adapt may result in an unsatisfactory product, hence embracing flexibility and changes through project evolution will prevent such failures.