Agile programming has become a favorite of software developers.
A big reason is that in agile programming, software is tested during the development process rather than at the end. Consequently, “bugs” in the software are worked out as that section is developed rather than trying to fix the bugs all at once in the end.
Because the product is tested in agile programming, and new requirements can be added as new information presents itself, there is time to adapt the product before it is complete to make sure it meets the clients’ needs.
All this normally adds up to savings.While new requirements are added as needed, the time to project completion does not change. Because the software is tested and debugged as it is developed, it reduces the amount of time it takes to go from an idea to a finished product. This decreased development time results in a reduction in cost. Reduced costs mean increased revenue.
But most analysts agree, one of the greatest benefits of agile programming is the active involvement of all the stakeholders. This includes everyone from the client who is requesting the product, to the design team, to the production team.
Additionally, continued communication with the client results in a high level of requirementcapture. This means the needs of the client are being actively considered and the product is adapted as needed.
An important element of the teamwork approach is that teams are given the authority to make decisions right then and there without having to get permission. If they think this is the best approach, they are encouraged to go with it.
Agile software development was popularized by the 2001 Manifesto for Agile Software Development. The values and principles exposed in this manifesto were derived from and underpin a broad range of software development frameworks, including Scrum and Kanban.
Most agile development methods break product development work into small increments that minimize the amount of up-front planning and design. Iterations, or sprints, are short time frames (timeboxes) that typically last from one to four weeks.
Each iteration involves a cross-functional team working in total functions such as planning, coding, analysis, design, unit testing and acceptance testing. All this leads to a demonstration to stakeholders of a working product.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers Agile Programming Workshop, a 3-day course where participants learn the agile thinking and framework and how to apply agile to your software and system projects.
Learn about the changes necessary to implement agile in your projects and programs.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.