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What is Agile Methodology?
Agile Methodology is one of the most popular software development methodologies which is iterative, flexible, collaborative and cross-functional in nature. It provides solution to the problems like rigidity and stiffness in the process through collaboration and customer involvement. The Agile Manifesto was introduced in 2001 elaborating about Agile and its practices. There are six phases in Agile:
Conception
Inception
Iteration
Release
Maintenance
Retirement
There are four core values that are prioritized in the manifesto:
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 Frameworks
Agile is an umbrella term for a number of frameworks that implement practices and principles for Agile Transformation. Some of the popular frameworks are:
Scrum
Kanban
Extreme Programming
Scrumban
Feature Driven Development
Test Driven Development
Adaptive Software Development
Lean Software Development
Crystal
Dynamic Systems Development Method
Principles of Agile
There are 12 principles that are the foundation for implementing agility in the process. The principles are as follows:
Customer satisfaction by early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
Welcome changing requirements, even in late development.
Deliver working software frequently.
Close daily cooperation between business people and developers.
Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted.
Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication.
Working software is the primary measure of progress.
Sustainable development, able to maintain a constant pace.
Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design.
Simplicity- the art of maximizing the amount of work not done- is essential.
Best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
Regularly, the team reflects on how to become more effective, and adjusts accordingly.
Benefits of using Agile Methodology?
Agile is gaining popularity in all the industries due the success it delivers through practices and techniques. The organization attains business agility through Agile and there are many other benefits that can be gained through its implementation:
Agile brings flexibility in the process to make changes.
Aligning solutions to provides Business Value.
It divides the whole work into small iterations that infuses continuous improvement.
Frequent delivery of value.
Each of the iteration is time-boxed so a fixed budget can be allotted to each of them. This helps to cut down any extra cost in case of any changes.
Communication is one of the key practices in Agile that improves employee engagement.
Involvement of customer and collaboration between the teams results in risk reduction of failure.
Introduces complete transparency in the process through clear communication and collaboration.
Risk and issues are detected at an early stage so that they can be mitigated to deliver good quality of product.
Roles and responsibilities are delegated on the basis of skills and knowledge so it fosters a flourishing work culture.
Industries implementing Agile
Agile was introduced as a methodology in Software Development field but its benefits attracted many types of industries to adapt the culture and practices. Some of the industries that have adapted Agile Methodology are:
Healthcare
Telecom and Communication
Banking
Advertising and marketing
NGOs
Government Agencies
Information and Technology
Aerospace
Construction
Engineering
IT
Automotive
Conclusion
Agile is being adapted by many types of industries in recent times as it actually enhances the product development and project management processes. The implementation is a tricky task though and requires experts to receive efficient results. Many courses are available on Acekube that give an insight of Agile and SAFe that is required to work properly in an Agile organization. There are experienced trainers that give guidance for the certification course.
FAQs
1. How does Agile promote better project visibility and control?
The Agile approach has many ways to identify risks and plan accordingly to increase agility. Transparency is maintained in the process that helps the team members to visualize the future results and mitigate impediments if any. Tools like sprint backlogs, Kanban board, burndown chart, etc. helps to improve project visibility and control.
2. How does Agile contribute to employee satisfaction and engagement?
Agile Methodology has some practices that increases transparency, removes hierarchy and silos, and collaboration. This fosters a productive work environment with self-organizing teams that work towards the same goal. The employees are given clarity about the process, tools and techniques to deliver an effective outcome. The teams also collaborate with one another that increase the engagement among them.
3. How does Agile enhance risk management in projects?
Agile is an iterative process that divides the work in small cycles that helps to identify risks in early stages. The customer is involved throughout the process that helps to get instant reviews this makes it easy to make changes accordingly. It also promotes teams to self-organize so they take the ownership of the risks. Agile Methodology has some unique risk identification and mitigation aspects for risk management in projects.