Agile Software Development – What? How? Why? When?

Since the first software has been developed half a century ago, IT professionals are constantly searching for ways of improvement to master more and more sophisticated and complex systems. At the beginning of the 21st century, new ideas on software development were presented in the Agile Manifesto, a document that delivers a framework for agile software development. Since then, software development companies widely adopted this specific set of methodologies. On many current business websites it reads: We are truly Agile! But what is so aspiring about being Agile software developers? Do buyers benefit if their software developers use Agile? If you are curious, here comes an overview.

What is agile? 

In the IT sphere Agile signifies a group of modern software development methodologies that deliver a set of lose guidelines in order to improve project behaviour. In ideal cases, agile aims to be a set of tools for efficient but flexible software development processes. What makes Agile stand out from the crowd of other methods is that it welcomes changes as integral part of software development. Agile methods are open to meet changes while avoiding chaos. Supporters believe that Agile equals the possibility to react to changes within the business environment but maintain effectiveness within software development processes.

How to be agile? 

In order to become an agile software development company, your team needs to convey flexibility and adaptability. Those two attributes are needed as projects are conducted in close cooperation with the customer who might have changing demands within the development course. Agile software development firms need to achieve a balance between no process and too much process. In this the emphasis should always lie on people, which means to highlight individuals and interactions over processes and tools. Within Agile software development processes, responding to change seems to be more important than following a concrete plan.

Why do companies become agile? 

In the context of operating with innovative technology and highly complex systems, often rapid development is required to stay competitive due to time-to-market pressure. That is why companies often integrate Agile elements into their processes. Striving for improvements, agile methodologies object to address main problems in software development such as complexity, conformity, changeability and invisibility.

When should companies use agile? 

With almost any other method that aims to solve high complexities, Agile software development has drawbacks. In case of high risks of a project, in-depth planning is necessary and should be strictly followed. In this case, it is not recommendable to work with too many agile elements. Before companies decide to adopt Agility in their software development process, the nature of the development project must always be taken into account. Some managers fear that Agile might result in a loss of control over their team or projects. Agile is useful when new, innovative services are developed because their requirements are unstable and might change. One last thing to remember, Agile is highly people dependent. That is why companies should scrutinize every drastic process change and tailor their very own methods suiting their team’s exact needs.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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