Knowing what agile software development is can help each and every technical leader to speed up the production of the project with the team. This is because knowing which is the best way to deliver a product can leverage production, as well as offer a better result in the long term.
Very common in the market, the agile methodology gained space within a disputed environment that started to demand more and more that projects were developed quickly. Therefore, each new proposal started to be more well done and tailor-made for each client.
Knowing the importance of agile software development in the execution of a project, we have prepared an article that details the main methodologies, their advantages and when to use them. Check below.
What is agile methodology?
The agile methodology, also called Agile, is nothing more than an alternative to be more productive within project management. The basis of this methodology is the value that the product will provide to the client and the relationship of all people who are involved in the project as customers, developers and so on.
Projects that are managed through the agile methodology are developed through incremental deliveries, this means that in each delivery made to the client, one or more functionalities of the software are developed and not the whole software at once. With this, the work is divided into stages, which after being finalized are sent to the client, and from their feedback, one can improve what has been done and what will be done.
Benefits of Agile Software Development
One of the main benefits of agile software development is the working method, which becomes much more effective and easier to carry out because it is made by software functionality. This methodology presents several advantages within the area of information technology, for example:
Improvements in communication: when the work is divided into stages, this allows the various parts of the software to be tested individually. Thus, it is possible to improve what is needed and the customer’s understanding of your service will facilitate the team’s work.
Teams become more productive: the famous creative blockages, caused by excessive information, too much paperwork and bureaucracy, are avoided by the development of agile software. The team stops worrying about the final service that contains many functionalities and ends up worrying about the functionality that must be delivered in that package, thus becoming more productive.
Definition of goal: with the definition of each stage within the project, reduction of bureaucracy and even the use of an easier language, it ends up being more effective than having a final goal already outlined and fulfill it.
Customer satisfaction: with the use of agile methodology, each piece of your final product is validated with the customer through feedbacks, and thanks to this, the chance of your final product meeting the customer’s needs becomes high, because any errors, changes or improvements that are necessary throughout the project will be made during the process, so that the customer is not frustrated at the end of the process.
Differences between traditional and agile models
During the planning of a software development project, the manager must be concerned with finding a management methodology that is aligned with the demands of this project. This choice helps the company both in the organization and prioritization of activities, as well as team management.
A good methodology improves the care that the team will have with some requirements and ensures that there are less risks in the project. The main software development methodologies are divided into two groups. The traditional and the agile. Knowing the basis of each method is one of the first steps to make a safe choice. If you have difficulties choosing the ideal development methodology, check below some tips to help you!
Traditional Methodologies
In traditional methodologies, the stages are static and because they work with a closed scope, there is little room for change. Delivery is usually made only at the end of the project, so the client takes a little longer to see the results.
One of the most important is the Cascade. In this methodology, we initially try to completely understand what the problem to be solved is, its main requirements and its restrictions; in the sequence, it is necessary to design solutions that meet all the requirements and restrictions. Once this is done, the project implementation begins, and when the entire implementation stage is completed, there is verification with the client that the solution meets the established requirements, also carrying out the delivery of the product.
Another very traditional methodology is Prototyping. It allows the development team to create a prototype application that can take three distinct forms. The first of them is a prototype on paper or even on the computer that shows the interaction between man and machine. The second option is to implement a functionality that is already in the scope of the software to be developed. Finally, there is the possibility of using a ready-made software that has part or all of the desired functionalities. This is the most common way to be adopted in software development.
Agile methodologies
Entering the category of agile software development methodologies, it is more flexible and has a continuous delivery of results. There is a greater contact with the client in search of feedbacks and alignment of expectations. In addition, the steps are smaller, which facilitates the opening for changes.
The main one is SCRUM. This agile framework can help a lot in the organization of your project and also of your team. SCRUM has 3 pillars: transparency, inspection and adaptation. This methodology is very good to help organize the “house”. Teams that are having difficulties in prioritizing their activities, and do not have much regularity in project meetings, can benefit a lot from using scrum. It is also an evolutionary process, which can be improved over time and adapt to what your team needs.
Another interesting methodology used in the development of agile software is Kanban. The idea is that tasks are performed in stages, and on demand, to use resources intelligently, without waste and keeping the workflow running constantly.
From this idea, the Kanban method and its principles were conceived. It has become an important tool that can be used not only as a software development methodology, but also as a manager of your workflow.
Kanban, as well as other agile methodologies, is an evolutionary process. Therefore, you can start with a simple implementation and evolve it over time. If you want to metric your deliveries for example and have more predictability, this methodology can work very well.
