6 Agile Methodologies: Benefits of Using Agile Methodologies

Agile methodology describes practices that abide by the Agile Manifesto. The Manifesto for Agile Software Development is a document drafted in 2001 by a group of software developers. The authors of the Agile Manifesto introduced a philosophy of working on software that was more streamlined and able to adapt to new trends and innovations, making the entire process more agile.

This manifesto—consisting of core values and principles—proposed a new, simplified way of developing software that prioritized efficiency, versatility, and customer feedback. Stakeholders and development teams invest in agile methods because they give team members a clear sense of direction and enhance product development, making superior goods for end users.

There are six phases to the agile software development lifecycle:

1. 1. Concept: Conception kicks off the agile approach. Here, the product owner will discuss client needs, maintain comprehensive documentation of what the customer wants, and on what deadline and budget. The product owner analyzes the feasibility of a project with their team before contract negotiations.
2. 2. Inception: Inception involves getting together employees who fit the needs of this specific project and who will instill the best teamwork to see it to completion. The design process begins with mock-ups of product architectures, and stakeholders may offer initial responses. Development teams will outline sprints to keep the team on track.
3. 3. Iteration: Iteration is the busiest and longest phase; during iterative approaches, developers and UX designers combine efforts to lay the groundwork for the basic functionality of the product. Teams solicit client feedback during product development.
4. 4. Release: Assuming no product backlogs hinder the process, quality assurance and beta testing will test out a product draft to prepare it for release.
5. 5. Maintenance: The product is fully available to the public at this phase. Product development teams will monitor usage and provide continued support should bugs or needs arise.
6. 6. Retirement: Products will approach retirement if the technology is no longer needed (has become obsolete) or if it is upgraded (to a better system).

There are a few critical agile methods, including the following:

1. 1. Scrum: The scrum methodology separates project management into cycles called sprints. Sprints outline the amount of time in which teams must develop a feature. Typically, companies divide scrum teams into small groups with a scrum master and product owner to oversee work. Daily scrums may exist for quicker turnaround of ideas.
2. 2. Extreme programming (XP): XP focuses on development teams’ collaboration. Interpersonal relationships, curiosity, and positive working environments are integral to the development process in XP. Development teams often work in pairs with this approach. During sprints, teams divide into developers and observers, with the pairs switching roles and sharing insights throughout the process.
3. 3. Kanban: Kanban boards offer a visual representation of the workflow, outlining agile practices that can prevent backlogs and delay product development. Kanban strives to identify and resolve roadblocks to realize the working product and gravitate toward customer needs efficiently.
4. 4. Adaptive Software Development (ASD): ASD focuses on the principle that change is inevitable and software developers need to adapt. Developers accomplish this approach through a three-step process: speculate, collaborate, and learn.
5. 5. Dynamic Software Development Method (DSDM): DSDM is an agile project management system that deals with quicker development cycles on tighter timelines and budgets. DSDM prioritizes immediate project plans and templates that provide a roadmap for deliverables.
6. 6. Feature Driven Development (FDD): While scrum works best for smaller groups, FDD is for larger agile teams. FDD requires specific skills for each employee. Multiple cross-functional teams will work on unique sprint planning that contributes to shared development projects holistically.

Agile values are fundamental to software development methodology and end users’ experience. Consider the following benefits:

1. 1. Produce superior end products: Agile principles prioritize systems, collaboration, and testing, all of which meet business needs and lead to lean software development practices.
2. 2. Strengthen control: Agile management tools offer crystal clear instructions and plans for programmers to understand their work better and end users’ needs.
3. 3. Improve predictability: Software development teams using agile methods experience greater automation and less instability.
4. 4. Make dynamic improvements: Test-driven development and continuous integration mean a development team can keep refining a product.
5. 5. Boost team morale: Teams prioritizing agile work methods will notice that members have more autonomy in their roles and work more collaboratively with their peers. Cross-functional teams are exposed to other work styles to allow growth.

This agile framework comprises twelve principles:

1. 1. Customer satisfaction: The highest priority of the manifesto is to satisfy the customer through all stages of delivery.
2. 2. Embracing changes: Agile processes welcome change at any point in the development to serve the customer.
3. 3. Speedy delivery: The manifesto outlines frequent software delivery, ideally within a shorter timescale.
4. 4. Collaboration: Collaboration between businesses or clients and developers leads to win-win scenarios for both.
5. 5. Empowerment: Empowering motivated individuals and supporting completing projects is a cornerstone of agile development.
6. 6. Effective communication: The drafters of the manifesto believe face-to-face conversation is the optimal method for conveying information.
7. 7. Good metrics: The primary measure of progress is working software.
8. 8. Steadiness: Agile processes should be sustainable and that developers and users should maintain a constant pace.
9. 9. Operational excellence: Attention to detail and good design enhance the processes.
10. 10. Simplicity: The manifesto states that simplicity is “the art of maximizing the amount of work not done.”
11. 11. Self-organization: The manifesto states that self-organizing teams produce the best designs.
12. 12. Continuous improvements: The drafters of the manifesto outline the need for teams to meet at regular intervals to reflect on the work.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by business luminaries, including Sara Blakely, Chris Voss, Robin Roberts, Bob Iger, Howard Schultz, Anna Wintour, and more.