agile development methodologies
Agile development is an iterative approach to software and project management focusing on delivering value quickly through short cycles (sprints), continuous feedback, and adapting to change, unlike traditional linear methods. It emphasizes collaboration, customer focus, responding to change, and working software over rigid plans, as outlined in the Agile Manifesto. Key practices include Scrum & Kanban, where teams build, test, and deliver small, functional increments repeatedly, ensuring flexibility and alignment with evolving needs.
Core Principles (from the Agile Manifesto)
- Individuals & Interactions: over processes & tools.
- Working Software: over comprehensive documentation.
Customer Collaboration: over contract negotiation.
Responding to Change: over following a plan.
How it Works (Iterative & Incremental)
Short Cycles (Sprints): Work is broken into small, time-boxed periods (e.g., 1-4 weeks).
Cross-functional Teams: Developers, testers, and designers work together.
Continuous Delivery: Each sprint delivers a potentially shippable product increment.
Feedback Loops: Regular reviews with stakeholders allow for quick adjustments.
Popular Frameworks & Methods
Scrum: Uses sprints, daily stand-ups, and specific roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master).
Extreme Programming (XP): Emphasizes technical practices like pair programming and test-driven development.
Key Benefits
Flexibility: Easily adapts to changing requirements.
Faster Delivery: Delivers working features sooner.
Higher Quality: Continuous testing and feedback improve quality.
Improved Satisfaction: Greater customer involvement leads to better alignment.
Agile vs. Traditional (Waterfall)
Iterative, flexible, concurrent development/testing, collaborative, changes welcomed.
Linear, sequential (plan -> design -> build -> test), rigid, changes costly.