What is Agile Method?

Introduction

Agile Method is a project management-specific approach that is used in software development. It helps the team in displaying continuous feedback on the uncertainties in the software construction. The agile method uses iterative and incremental work sequences termed sprints. However, the sprint is completed with the expiration of the period.

Although strife arises among team members regarding the particular project phase, work on the remaining phases would remain in progress within its specified period.

Famous Agile Methodologies

Extreme Programming (XP), Scrum, Crystal, Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), Lean Development and Feature-Driven Development (FDD) are eminent agile methodologies. It has been observed that each of these methodologies share common values and visions. However, they are exceptionally unique in practice. Moreover, the refined delivery of the software system takes place with continuous feedback.

Characteristics of the Agile Method

• It has been further noted that agile development is of high-quality adjustable software inherently with the application of improvement in continuous design.
• Execution of testing represents rapid feedback, contrary to the traditional waterfall or spiral development.
• It is people-centric rather than a process reflecting the empowerment of individuals for collaborating and making effective and quick decisions respectively.
• The agile management style adopts leadership and collaboration, which is tacit.
• Also, it implies the existence of self-organising teams which encourage role interchangeability and helps in adopting informal communication with the critical role of customers.
• The project cycle is directed by product characteristics using the organic structure, which favours the object-oriented technology and evolutionary-delivery model respectively.

General Principles of Agile Method

• Among the general principles of the agile method, the software consistently develops to the satisfaction of clients.
• Moreover, the inclusion of new requirements is acceptable considering the competitive advantage of potential clients and delivery of software materialises within the shortest preferable time frame.
• The businessmen and developers work collectively in the agile method facilitating the motivational people working together on the particular project under a conducive workplace environment.
• Direct communication is further encouraged among the team members and their progress is assessed periodically through working software.
• Besides that, sustainable development is being promoted in the agile method representing the constant pace of users and developers.
• Furthermore, improvement in agility occurs with standardised design and technical excellence substantially.
• The maximisation of incomplete work flourishes with simplicity and the outstanding designs formulate with the self-organisation of the team correspondingly.
• Last, the striving capacity for becoming more effective, tuned and adjustable behaviour occurs at regular intervals. It is used by IBM in their projects for software development subsequently.

 Application of Agile Method in Real-life

Although several enterprises use an agile method in their development structure, they are not open about their choices of exercising. IBM reports that the agile method applicability reflects the prevalence of potential organisational changes, which will not only enhance the probability of success of the software development teams but also help the clients in executing effective strategies for their projects respectively. Nonetheless, this method helps in mitigating the adaptive, expanding and implementing pitfalls respectively. Precisely, it is widely recognised as the best possible solution for project development purposes by the IT industry.