Using Agile methodology to enhance a software project is key to ensure its success and continuous improvement as well as a faster and more efficient way to commercialize products
What are we talking about?
Agile methodologies have emerged as a better, more comprehensive answer to software development traditional challenges.
For a few years now, companies have been working in a more collaborative manner, as knowledge has become a more valuable asset. Navigating such a fast-paced world, the need for managers who are more flexible in their projects has arisen, to make it easier to adapt to new challenges and circumstances.
This goes well beyond being a simple methodology. It is more like a philosophy. In this article, let's learn a bit more about this methodology that keeps gaining more and more ground in the world of software development.
Agile methodology is the name given to a set of methodologies applied in order to adapt one’s way of working to each project's particularities, as they demand a specific speed and flexibility. It implements short development stages called "sprints," which focus on the continuous improvement of the development of a product or service. Companies that successfully incorporate this type of methodology can manage their projects in a flexible, independent and efficient manner, reducing costs and increasing productivity. As these sectors are constantly changing and growing, organizations need to develop competitive services.
This methodology appears as a way to improve traditional ways of working, which would otherwise delay a lot the delivery of the finished product.
Each project is carried out in collaboration by multidisciplinary, self-organized teams where decision-making is a shared process.
Why choose agile methodologies?
- Deliveries are faster and quality is better. It's a more efficient method, with lower costs and less working time.
- Teamwork has workers' enthusiasm grow and their participation improves. Self-managed work teams foster creativity and innovation.
- Clients become more important, their input is taken into more consideration and changes can be made throughout the project. Clients are more involved and committed.
- It benefits revision time and cooperation among team members. The increased flexibility allows for quicker detection of mistakes and more direct solutions.
- A better, more dynamic allocation of resources improves production, following the company's needs.
- Dividing a project into smaller stages turns each of them into a priority in terms of importance.
- Agile methodology places clients' satisfaction in a key position, to ensure they receive results than can be translated into benefits.
- It empowers those involved: it builds a sense of responsibility and allows for diversity of ideas and continuous improvement.
- The metrics used to measure parameters such as time, cost and performance are more realistic. Thanks to the distribution in smaller teams and stages, you can keep better track of how things are going.
- It fosters a proactive approach from team members, aiming at product excellence.
Which methodologies does our company implement?
At OpenDev Pro, we work with two agile methodologies: Scrum and Kanban. The first one entails a predetermined set of recurring actions and processes employed to shorten the time spent in the development of a project, always making sure that the best possible quality is achieved. We focus on work in iterations, that is to say, on completing tasks and sprints within established time frames. Continuous improvement will occur over processes, not the project itself. All activities take place simultaneously. They all make up a larger plan, divided into smaller stages.
For its part, the Kanban methodology is an agile methodology used to manage projects in a broader manner, implementing continuous improvement while focusing on the general status of projects instead of the tasks or actions to be performed.
Scrum teams that use Kanban as a visual management tool, like OpenDev Pro, can make faster and more frequent deliveries.
Can these two methodologies work well together? The answer is yes, they can go hand in hand. Kanban works well when applied together with Scrum or other agile methods.
Challenges of Agile Methodology
Agile methodology is currently the most popular trend. The success rate for projects implementing this technology is very high. However, some challenges may arise while doing so. Thus, the following items should be considered:
- Choosing a suitable agile methodology: this is the first step in any agile software development project. It will determine whether the project is going the right way or not. Some aspects to consider are the nature of the business, its characteristics, and advantages and disadvantages of each agile approach.
- Communication: it's one of the key pillars on which good relationships among teams should be built in order to have a smooth project development. Team members should communicate efficiently and effectively to bring the project to fruition. Therefore, the company must provide appropriate communication channels.
- Flaws in organizational culture and people: it's difficult to change people's minds and, thus, their behaviors, too. Generally, people struggle with change so accepting new methodologies might seem to them like admitting that whatever they are currently doing is not going well or not working. This is why change is one of the hardest challenges in transition. For most, it's always easier to continue implementing classic methods and processes but if the reasons why a new agile methodology is needed were clearly explained to them, change would be much more manageable.
- Acceptance and equal guidelines at all levels: every employee in any executive, middle and top level management positions must be up to date and informed about the changes, the benefits to a speed conversion and the details on how the company will be affected. They all must understand what is expected of them, too.
- Appropriate leadership: under agile methodology, teams may be multifunctional. Therefore, they are likely to have several leaders. This is why responsibilities and the principles of agile management must be clearly stated among leaders and their teams, to prevent any possible conflicts like replacements. The Agile Manifesto fosters encouragement, support and trust for the people involved in the project.
- Experienced team members: each iteration lasts a short period of time so it demands expert execution. It also requires that agile concepts be correctly applied by team members. An agile team's lack of experience in a specific area may translate into difficulty meeting established deadlines.
At OpenDev Pro, we're passionate about business agility. We give our best at work to practice what we preach. Still today, many companies choose to remain slow and bureaucratic, delivering late results which lead to unhappy clients and employees. If you are facing such problems, you need more information about this methodology or you are looking for the change your company sorely needs, get in touch with us. We can help you solve it!
