Producing Quality Software Using Agile Development Methodology
In the current scenario, Agile Software Development has changed from a remote approach to a suitable and valuable consideration for every software development project. Mainly, Agile is used by small teams to deliver websites, develop in-house software, and all kind of small projects. These days, it is being used to deliver just about every kind of project from embedded software to software as a service, from websites to mainframe and from video games to banking. Prior to the Agile methodology, software development had the tendency to be slow and with a conflicting performance. In order to be abreast, the current process in software development needs to be more adaptive. And Agile Methodology encourages collaboration, self-organization and liability. Let’s have a look at the necessity of Agile, its core principles, methods, and valuable benefits as well as its drawbacks.
Necessity of Agile: Agile Development Methodology is now considered by many, as a way to success. The reason behind the success is the benefit of agility which means sooner the completion faster the reach to the masses, fulfillment of end-users’ expectations from products, improved development process, improved quality, and more. The benefits are real and accessible to any organization ready to carry out the hard work of adopting an agile approach to its work. Moreover, agile method encourages a strict response loops and lets the teams alter as per the requirements in a quick, possible manner. This reduces blows and replaces it with a steady expected measure which helps to reduce variability in the work and improves the team’s productivity and quality as well.
Principles of Agile Methodology: Agile methodology defines a set of principles which can illustrate the technique of developing successful software. These principles are divided in to two categories, which are as Core Principles and Supplementary Principles.
Core Principles of Agile:
Main objective is to provide high quality software to customers.
Software is a measure of progress
With the changing time, Agile welcome these changes and reflects them in the project.
Constant collaboration between business people and developers which enables a faster, error free methodology.
Simplicity inculcated in the development process.
Self-organizing Teams.
Rapid and regular feedback system.
Supplementary principles of Agile:
Content is more important than presentation.
Keeps the project robust with an open and free communication environment.
Various Agile Methods: There are various agile methodologies which are used while implementing agile software development. Some of widely used agile methods are as under:
Agile Modeling
Scrum
Extreme Programming (XP)
Agile Unified Process (AUP)
Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)
Agile Data Method
Essential Unified Process (EssUP)
Feature Driven Development (FDD)
Open Unified Process (OpenUP)
Lean Software Development
Benefits of Agile Development Methodology: Agile Development Methodology is popular among developers for the development of huge projects. It allows developing flexible software in time that will comply with the business requirements and work in accordance. It quickly enables you with additional business capacities and boosts your business position in the market. If requirements change then it can adapt quickly. This ensures that the development is on the right track hence reducing time and development costs during development. Thus, it controls the speed while delivering the project. It has an adaptive team which is able to respond to the changing requirements as well as the team collaboration supports best practices and makes it easier to introduce new tools and development techniques. In short, it delivers extra functionality and higher level of quality software.
Disadvantages of Agile Development Methodology: As we know there are two sides of a coin, which is the case in a technology or methods. An agile approach to development is good for many reasons but due to certain requirements it has some disadvantages which are mentioned below:
For a complex and larger software development, efforts estimation will be tough at the beginning phase.
As it gives less importance for designing and documentation, it may take a back seat.
If the client is unclear about his requirements then there is a possibility to have a messy project.
In order to suitably execute this methodology, experienced resources will be needed.