Agile software development is an iterative approach to software development that focuses on delivering working software quickly and frequently, with continuous feedback from stakeholders. It is a broad term that encompasses a variety of methodologies. Including Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP).
The main aim of agile development is to improve upon the responsiveness and efficiency of software development. Creating an approach that is better equipped to deal with the fast changing needs of businesses in the modern day.
The key values of the agile methodology
Agile software development is based on the following principles:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
Agile delivery coordination
Agile software development is typically carried out in short iterations, or sprints, which typically last 1-4 weeks. At the beginning of each sprint, the team plans the work they will complete during the sprint. At the end of the sprint, the team delivers a working increment of the software to the stakeholders and gets their feedback. This feedback is used to plan the next sprint.
Agile software development is often contrasted with traditional waterfall software development, which is a sequential approach where each phase of the development process is completed before moving on to the next. Agile software development is more flexible and adaptable to change than waterfall development, making it a better choice for projects with complex or uncertain requirements.
The coordination of agile development can be managed by an agile delivery coordinator who is responsible for focusing on making things happen. They are in charge of managing teams and negotiating with stakeholders to complete the project to a high standard whilst addressing hurdles along the way.
An ADC (Agile Delivery Coordinator) is a key role within the development team but they don’t need to be internal. In fact, partnering with an agile development service provider will match your development team with a specialist ADC who can provide their expertise in agile development.
The benefits of agile software development
Some of the benefits of agile software development include:
- Faster delivery of working software
- Increased customer satisfaction
- Improved quality of software
- Reduced risk of project failure
- Increased team morale and productivity
Agile software development is a popular choice for a wide variety of software projects, from small startups to large enterprises. It is particularly well-suited for projects with complex or uncertain requirements, or projects where it is important to get feedback from stakeholders early and often.
How else can the methodology be applied?
Not only is agile a preferred approach for software development, it is also a popular methodology that has been applied in a wide variety of industries. This includes areas like engineering, construction management, pharmaceutical, and aerospace engineering. Not only is this being incorporated into small teams or departments but organisations across a range of industries are implementing the agile approach throughout their organisations, from top to bottom. Revealing the wide range of benefits this approach can have on both project management and the overall running of a business.
