Agile Methodology: What Is Agile Software Development Model?

If you are wondering how Agile is faring in the post-pandemic world, then here are some insightful statistics!

The 14th Annual State of Agile Report states that 55% of the companies surveyed, plan to increase their agile adoption to promote faster time to market and improve areas that will reap long term benefits with agile adoption. This huge number is a testament of the popularity of the Agile methodology process.

The dictionary definition of Agile is ‘the ability to move quickly and easily’. The Agile software development method follows this same principle, helping teams to deliver fast and with precision.

Let’s look at some of the more common terminologies that you will come across as an Agilist and how they will help you in software development. 

What is Agile?

The story of Agile started in spring 2000, when a group of 17 software developers met in Oregon to ponder on the issues that plagued existing software development models, and to discuss how they could streamline development methods in order to hasten time to market.

These discussions led to the conceptualization of the Agile methodology, and many big names in the world of Agile, including Jeff Sutherland, Ken Schwaber, Martin Fowler, Jim Highsmith, Jon Kern, and Bob Martin were a part of this foundational group.

For the uninitiated, the Agile model is a mind-set; a cultural change. It is, at its heart, a shift from the traditional method of software development that challenges the notion of the top-down approach to project management.

The agile software development life cycle is based on an incremental and iterative approach focused on short sprints that are focused on maximizing performance and quality.

What is Business Agility?

When the originators of Agile got together all those years back, they had but one intention. To use their experience and expertise to create new methods for software development that would put the focus back on the team, customers, quality and a changing business scenario— and in turn help them become more resilient to change.

This is where the idea of business agility was born!  

According to the Agile Business Consortium, business agility is the ability of an organization to be more creative, adaptive and resilient by:

• Adapting to changing business conditions
  
• Responding and implement customer requirements as quickly as possible
  
• Embracing change while ensuring that there is no compromise in product quality
  
• Continuously being at a competitive advantage.

What are Agile Methodologies? 

Agile methodology definition: Agile comprises various methodologies that use the idea of iterative development and require the collaboration of self-organizing teams to define requirements and implement solutions.  

The different Agile methodologies include: 

• Agile Scrum Methodology 
• Lean Software Development 
• Kanban 
• Extreme Programming (XP) 
• Crystal 
• Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) 
• Feature Driven Development (FDD) 

Agile methodology Scrum and Kanban are the most popular Agile methodologies in use.

Agile model advantages and disadvantages

The iterative and incremental model followed by the Agile development model focuses on self-organizing teams, collaboration and customer requirements. 

Advantages of the Agile model include:  

• Rapid delivery of working software 
• Quick resolution of defects 
• Fast response to customer needs 
• Better communication between teams and stakeholders 
• Promotes innovation 
• Focus on technical excellence and quality 
• Satisfied and motivated teams. 

Disadvantages of the Agile model include: 

• Incorrect methods or inexperience in Agile processes can lead to project failure 
• Saying yes to all that the customer wants can lead to confusion and extra effort 
• Not much attention is paid to documentation.

What is Agile Software Development? 

“Agile software development is an umbrella term for a set of frameworks and practices based on the values and principles expressed in the Manifesto for Agile Software Development and the 12 Principles behind it.” –Agile Alliance.  

Agile software development differs from other traditional methods of software development as the focus is on people, teams and self-organization. 

Agile teams are cross-functional and collaborative and follow the practices and processes outlined in the Agile Manifesto.

Agile Manifesto

 “We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value”—Agile Manifesto 

The world has a lot to be thankful for to the 17 engineers who way back in 2001, got together and laid the foundations for the Agile Manifesto. Their goal was to formulate methods that could make the process of software development more streamlined, with faster time to market, more transparency with clients, more focus on teams and individuals and an ability to create organizations and teams that could adapt to changing market conditions.

The Agile Manifesto defined 4 core values and 12 principles that outlined software development the Agile way. 

Agile software development values

The Agile Manifesto is comprised of 4 key values that outline the processes that should be followed during software development. These are: 

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools 
• Working software over comprehensive documentation 
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation 
• Responding to change over following a plan. 

These 4 values are adopted by each Agile methodology albeit in different ways, but the end goal for each is the same—to produce high-quality working software. 

Agile software development principles

The Agile Manifesto outlines the following 12 principles: 

1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software. 
2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage. 
3. Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale. 
4. Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project. 
5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done. 
6. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation. 
7. Working software is the primary measure of progress. 
8. Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely. 
9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility. 
10. Simplicity–the art of maximizing the amount of work not done–is essential. 
11. The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams. 
12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.

Agile software development practices

As defined in the Agile Manifesto there are certain key concepts and practices that are adopted by all the methodologies and framework that fall under the Agile software development umbrella. The Agile methodology steps are as listed: 

• Requirements Phase 
• Design Phase 
• Development and Coding Phase 
• Integration and Testing Phase 
• Implementation and Deployment Phase 
• Review Phase. 

Scrum

Scrum is by far the most popular Agile framework, used by 58% organizations surveyed, according to the 14th Annual State of Agile Report. This iterative and incremental Agile project management methodology that uses the Scrum framework helps deliver large projects by breaking them down into smaller units called Sprints.  

The benefits of Scrum framework include: 

• Product Quality 
• Project transparency 
• Early detection and mitigation of risks 
• Faster release of working software 
• Reduced costs 
• Higher Customer engagement and satisfaction 
• Speed to market.

Lean 

Lean works on the principle of eliminating waste. The focus is on maximizing customer value by implementing Lean principles and processes.

An organization that wishes to become Lean must think about these 3 business issues, namely, purpose, process and people.

The advantages of implementing Lean include: 

• Efficiency 
• Increased product quality 
• Increased profits 
• Satisfied team and customers 
• Less waste

Kanban 

Kanban is a Lean/Agile development methodology that focuses on just-in-time delivery of functionality and managing the amount of work in progress (WIP). 

Kanban cards represent the features in the system and along with the Kanban board help to identify impediments in the workflow.  

Kanban, though an agile methodology, does not follow the iterative method but fulfils the 12 principles outlined in the Agile Manifesto.  

The benefits of Kanban include: 

• Reduced waste 
• Higher productivity 
• Increased efficiency 
• Continuous delivery and continuous improvement.

Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) 

DSDM follows an 80:20 rule for software development, which states that 80% of the code gets done in 20% of the time.  

DSDM is largely based on the Rapid Application Methodology (RAD) and follows a 4-phase framework approach for software development.  

The advantages of DSDM include the following: 

• Rapid development ensures that basic functionality is delivered soon 
• Users/customers are highly involved in the project from start to finish 
• High quality products delivered on time and within the specified budget. 

Extreme Programming

Also called XP, Extreme Programming follows specific engineering practices for software development. 

It is apt for projects with: 

• Very frequent change in requirements 
• Higher risk 
• When the team is small and distributed  
• Project is complicated  
• Automated and functional tests. 

The advantages of XP include the following: 

• The customer is involved at every step 
• Stable software creation through continuous testing 
• Pair programming helps reduce risks 
• Changes can be incorporated faster. 

Feature Driven Development (FDD)

FDD, like XP also focuses on giving continuous and timely updates to users and releases frequent working software with a focus on quality.  

Some of the advantages of FDD are given below: 

• Short iterations helps focus on quality and speed 
• Helps in easier project tracking 
• Helps in correct estimation of cost 
• Reduces risk.

Crystal 

Agilest.org  defines Crystal as a human powered methodology for small teams that focuses on people and prescribed flexibility.  

There are 7 properties that Crystal emphasizes on and these are: 

1. Frequent delivery of usable code 
2. Learn and improve 
3. Osmotic communication 
4. Working without fear 
5. Focus 
6. Access to expert users 
7. Frequent testing 

The advantages of Crystal include: 

• Frequent delivery of code helps identify problems early on 
• Osmotic communication helps team members share their ideas freely 
• Promotes continuous improvement. 

In conclusion, the need for Agile adoption has become even more apparent post-COVID.  

Organizations have realised that the only way to stand up to competition and changing markets is by changing themselves and becoming Agile.

Agile and its methodologies have broken barriers set up by the traditional project management techniques, and helped companies adapt to change and become more resilient. This high adoption rate of Agile has also made Agile professionals valued resources in the market.

Check out our agile methodology tutorial if you want to pursue one of the most lucrative careers of the decade!