The Profound Advantages of Agile Software Development

Unexpected delivery slowdowns are the most complex problems in the software development cycle. More than 70% of companies complain about the problem with clients’ dissatisfaction. However, these days, agile software development is a trend that many companies boast of for speedy project delivery. However, it is not suitable for all kinds of projects!

Also, not every software developer is worth relying upon when it comes to choosing agile methodologies. Moreover, not every project requires to be developed this way. Not sticking to the right development methodology and strategy leads to project delays.

So, in this blog, we will understand what is agile software development in detail but in simple language. Also, we will try to figure out, what kind of software development projects can utilise agile and what projects must stick to traditional waterfall methodology. 

Let us first start by understanding the meaning of agile!

What Is Agile Methodology?

Agile software development is a newer approach to working on a software project. In agile process, the development team breaks down one software project into different small parts. Then different developers work on different parts of the software product.

This way, a software product gets ready faster. Additionally, apart from speedy development, the agile approach also intensifies the testing procedures. Each developer robustly tests his part. Also, when all the pieces of code are combined and integrated, the testing team tests the product again.

This way, you get not only faster product delivery but also 10 times up product quality. In simple words, agile methodology to software development is what prefabrication is to manufacturing.

Remember, that agile methodologies is a common noun and there are different types of ‘techniques’ to software development that comes into the category. So, let us now check out some agile techniques, that you can ask the development team to implement in your project: 

Types of Agile methodologies

Some common techniques in agile software development include the following ones:  

1. Kanban Method

The most popular agile software development technique is the Kanban method. Kanban Board is a visual tool (as shown in the image below). The software development team can visually arrange the parts of the project according to their status

Say, for example, distributing software in different parts and allocating distinct names to each of them. Then preparing a table with the status ‘to do’, ‘done’, ‘for review’, ‘in progress’ and more!

That’s what a Kanban Board do for you! Using Kanban software development, the team can monitor the project status with simple visuals. 

1. Scrum Method

Scrum is the easiest technique of agile project management. In this method, the development team simply divides the software project into different parts called ‘sprints’.

The development team holds daily sprint ‘standups’ and reports to the scrum master (project management). This way, the product is monitored continuously. 

2. Feature-Driven Development (FDD) Method

Feature-driven Development (FDD) is a kind of MVP software development approach. In this method, the software development team works on the software product feature by feature. 

That means one feature at a time is what the client gets. In simple words, FDD follows an incremental approach to development. Focusing on one feature at a time helps the development team deliver the project rapidly.

Also, this approach optimises the product quality as every time after adding a new feature, the team would test the whole software product again. 

3. Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)

Another popular technique of agile software development is Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD). In this approach, your development partners will document the project requirements in a very simple and non-technical language.

The team gathers project requirements in the following format and develops the product accordingly: 

• Given: The client gives the development team a scenario explaining the features of the product. Say, for example, ‘given that user will get log-in and account creation features’.
• When: “This action must take place only ‘when’ the user is pre-registered and when the user enters the login credentials and hits enter.”
• Then: “The user must get a personalised greeting in the format: ‘Hello User’s Name, Welcome Back!”

This way, the developers know the ‘actions’ or ‘functions’ that the software product is expected to perform. So, they code and program the product accordingly. 

4. Lean Development

As the term ‘lean’ already suggests, the lean development method focuses only on ‘fine’ areas of work. In lean software development, the development team focuses only on the main features and functions of the software product

Not only the features and functions but anything that does not create ‘value’ for the client is not entertained in the lean approach. It may also include unnecessary documentation. Just like FDD, lean development also focuses on MVP development and sticks to an incremental approach. 

1. Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM)

Next comes the Dynamic Systems Development Method or DSDM which focuses on optimising the budget. In DSDM, the development team sticks to an iterative approach and works only on the most important features and functions.

Using an iterative approach, DSDM ensures that the team entertains the client’s feedback regularly. Until the client’s feedback is incorporated fully at one stage, the team will not proceed to the next one. DSDM prioritises the client’s active involvement throughout the project. This ensures that the client gets a 100% bespoke development. 

Process of Agile Methodology

How does Agile perform better than other software development methodologies? Is it reasonable to stand with this method? Now, take a look at the process of development with the agile method and how it is used to process the project for better functioning. 

Check the agile software development process with this section:

1. Gathering Project Requirements

Like other traditional methods of software development, the agile methodology also begins with requirement gathering. When it comes to custom software development, a client has to play an active role throughout the development.

Especially, when explaining project requirements, the client has to be very clear with what he/she wants from the software product. The look, feel, features, and functions of the software product. Everything, the client would need to explain to the developers. 

2. Preparing a Project Protype & Outlining a Development Plan

The next step also remains common to traditional approaches to development. Once, the client explains all his/her expectations from the project, a professional development team will prepare either a prototype (a working model of the software product) or at least a Figma design (a 2D model or kind of sketch of the final product) before starting with the development. 

This way, if the client needs any iterations to the design or functionalities, the development team can add or rectify them at an early stage. This saves the development team from ‘hard work’. Making changes to the codes requires more time and effort. However, changing the Figma design or prototype is much easier.

Additionally, once the client and development team agree on the final design, planning out the software development lifecycle phases and related timelines is another crucial step. 

3. Starting to Code the Feature, Functions, and Appearance  

When the design and timeline are final, the next step is coding and programming the software product. However, this is the step where agile methodology differs from the traditional methods.

To code one software product, the project manager would divide the software product into different parts. Thus, different developers will be coding different parts of the software to integrate them all in the end. 

4. Agile Management of Testing Procedures

In agile software development, testing goes hand in hand with the development though. Every developer continuously tests his/her part of the code properly called agile management. However, when the development team integrates all pieces of code, the testing team will re-test the entire software product.

Testing the final product is really important to avoid glitches and technical errors in the functioning of the software product. There are possibilities, that however, each piece of code works fine individually. However, after integration, it may demonstrate glitches. 

5. The Final Process: Deployment

Once, the software product passes all the quality measures and the testing and software development teams declare the product glitch-free, deployment process begins. In simple words, it is the process of launching the software product and making it ready to work for the users. 

What are Core Benefits of Agility?

Agile software development has profound benefits. If it suits a project, it certainly multiplies its quality by 5 times. Not only does it speed up the project delivery, but it also eliminates all the bugs at an early stage. Some more benefits include: 

It’s A Flexible And Adaptable Method For Better Results

Agile methodology is a flexible solution to software development. It empowers the company to operate with flexibility in delivery and budget. Developers can make changes to the business owner’s requirements or from regular feedback.

With the adoption of other methodologies, changes will be easier to manage and perform. It’ll be costly and more time-consuming than agile methodology. It’s a sure set of successful products with client satisfaction.

It Includes Participation of the Maximum Team Members

Agile allows the promotion of quality products with transparent collaboration with clients. Business owners allow for face-to-face communication to create identified and resolved solutions.

It provides a collaborative approach for better control and access to develop and process fast. It ensures quality products throughout the implementation phase of software development.

Developers and business owners can collaborate with daily progress reports to quickly add and remove required features.  

Proficient and Experienced Developers Manage the Project

Nowadays, Software development is a highly critical task. It is highly complex to develop and proceed. So, curbing and resolving this problem agile is the best suitable method to execute your project plan. 

It provides expertise and methods to build required software to meet clients’ expectations and requirements. 

Experts can manage and access the expected project for client satisfaction and needs. The method is entirely viable and suitable to perform according to regular client feedback. 

Every Phase is Crystal Clear and Well-Planned

Developers and clients seek a transparent working environment to understand the process and track the performance. It indeed encourages us to understand the progress and identify the problems early. 

Developers can add or remove the features to develop desired products or services. Visibility will ensure understanding of the project at every stage, which can develop according to the client’s requirements. 

Software development with an agile formula will surely result in the successful completion of the project.  

Agile Methodologies are Client-Centric

Clients can manage extensive project management and revenue without any problems. Agile methodology avoids the problem of uncertainty and puzzles to meet the demands of clients. 

The agile software development cycle allows the addition of advanced solutions and communication standards to manage projects. It ultimately lowers the client’s stress to develop project results within a budget. 

Mitigates Risk to a Good Extent

Review with a continual software development process helps to catch the problem at earlier stages. It lowers the risk of miscommunications, which resolves the problem of project failure and increases the chance of project success. 

All the team members can understand the project at their stage with a transparent working process. Including every member’s transparent work makes them understand the problem correctly. It indeed sets projects with the expectations of the clients’ minds.  

It Multiplies the Chances of Project Success

Agile methods make users more satisfied and motivated to take on the project. The team becomes self-organized and independent, which indicates that the team can fully control the work. 

Team members can learn new skills and technology from each other; therefore, they will be able to handle big, complex projects. 

It will result in better performance and a continuous track of improvement. It manages to set for successful project completion from disrupting project completion. 

It is a Predictive Approach that Guides the Development Team

Agile software development projects make developers work effectively towards the same project. The team will understand better and be able to predict the problem or error for immediate action.

It allows us to resolve the obstacles whenever required by the team. The project team can identify the critical success factor of the project and the risk of project failure. They predict better and minimize the risk, ultimately achieving maximum success. 

It Maximises the Product Quality

Agile methods have built-in practices of continuous integration and testing to help reduce bugs or defects in the software. It breaks down the project into manageable units; every unit will be adequately tested. 

By doing this, every project turns out to be perfect with the desired conditions. It is carried out to make project feature changes whenever necessary. 

Developers and owners both feel satisfied with the project result. Other methods, like agile, keep us from making a change.  

It Minimises the Chances of Project Delays

Necessary thanks to agile working, it manages the fast delivery process. Agile helps to reduce the time to be in the market. People or owners are both satisfied with the working of software, which results in success.

Its working criteria allow customers to provide feedback and make them adjust according to requirements. It all speeds up the development cycle of the project. It favours working code over comprehensive documentation; it skips the process of the outdated writing process.  

Agile Methodologies Dwell Upon 4 Core Values

In addition to such tremendous benefits, agile practices are preferable also due to their being value-driven. A group of 17 developers prepared a document called Manifesto for Agile Software Development in February 2001. In this document, the developers coined principles and values of agile development.

Did you know that agile software development follows 4 core values? Don’t let an inexperienced team of developers fool you. Remember, in agile development, you will experience 4 core values: 

Value 1: Interaction of Everyone

Agile values the interaction, which must be essential in deciding on it. Clients or business owners can easily communicate with the team to understand the progress.

Clients demand several required features, and the team members are responsible for ensuring that all the queries and suggestions are correctly answered.

Value 2: Less Documentation, More Development

Earlier, software developers needed to spend much time developing documentation. They even need to write a single code. 

However, now, Agile provides methods to deliver the best product to the client rather than documentation. 

The first and essential duty is to provide the best deliverable project to the client. The final working product must be a priority. 

Value 3: Inclusion of the Clients

Agile principles allow customers to interact in all phases of the project. In other methods, customers will provide accessibility at the start or final delivery. However, agile allows it to be used in all phases. 

It reduces the waste of time and resources if the customer is involved in all phases. Then, the customer will have the desired product in the end. Values the customer satisfaction, so it’s a must-demand method by developers.  

Value 4: 100% Bespoke & Client-Centric Solution

Agile values the client’s response to deliver the required software development project. Sometimes, customers demand any change, which must be a developer’s priority.

So agile provides this value to take the desired project by the client. In that case, the team understands the features and makes them change in that phase to provide a 100% customer satisfaction project.

However, as discussed at the beginning of the blog, agile software development is not for every project. Rather, it has some drawbacks too. So, now let us also discover the drawbacks. 

Limitations of Agile Software Development

✔ It requires many steps to understand the logic. And behind every step, there is a different team member. Sometimes, it results in fragmented results, which need to be understood. 

✔ The gathering of resources takes time to manage. It is exceptionally not good to proceed with little information. Sometimes, clients need help to disclose the required features.

✔ Proper documentation is necessary. Somehow, it will result in a written procedure. It is essential to understand the following phase members or the final tester. 

✔ Some business owners provide end-moment addition of features, resulting in long-time product delivery.

✔ The team cannot measure the long tail procedure timing and resources. It results in a better long tail, which results in measuring difficulty. 

Agile Vs. Traditional Waterfall Method of Software Development

On the contrary, traditional methods of software development are not outdated yet! In traditional software development, the coding and programming remain sequential

Rather than different developers working on different pieces of code and compiling all ‘fragments’ together in the end, the traditional approach encourages step-by-step development.

However, there are various traditional approaches to software development, waterfall is the most popular approach. 

What Happens in the Waterfall Approach to Software Development? 

When using the waterfall method, the software development team documents the requirements of the client. Then, the entire team would work on the development process step by step. The Waterfall approach is like laying the foundations and then constructing a building block by block. 

What Are the Benefits of Waterfall Methodology? 

Old is gold! And so is the waterfall method of software development. This methodology has the following benefits for your project. 

✔ It is a sequential approach to software development. Until the foundations of a software product are developed, other features are not added to it. This optimises the overall functioning of the product. 

✔ When a development team works together on each part of the software, the quality improves naturally. 

✔ In the waterfall method, each and every requirement of the client is documented. A robust documentation minimises errors and maximises bespoke design delivery.

✔ It does not require testing each piece of the code. Rather, once the coding and programming are complete, the testing team tests the final product. The development team remains tension-free. 

Comparing Agile and Waterfall Software Development Quickly

Now, which one to choose? Feeling baffled? Worry not! Let’s quickly compare waterfall and agile software development once!

• The waterfall method is more systematic as compared to agile development. 
• In agile development, different coders work on different fragments of a software product. However, every coder may have different experience and expertise. 
• As a result, if not entire team thinks in the same direction, the entire project fails.
• On the contrary, the waterfall method is more rigid and compels the team members to think in the same direction. 
• However, agile methodology double ensures the quality of the product as it involves multiple testing phases. 
• Agile gives speedy project delivery, however waterfall method consumes time.

So, we can say that both methods have their own pros and cons. If you are still confused, let us make things more clear. 

Waterfall or Agile: Which One to Choose?

Waterfall Method 

• This method involves the least risk and is time-consuming.
• Therefore, a business that cannot compromise the quality at all must choose the waterfall method only. 
• Additionally, the waterfall method is suitable for those who have a well-defined project outline and clarity towards the end product. 
• It is because, as the waterfall method is sequential, and therefore, mid-way changes are not feasible.
• As a result, if you have a clear outline of your project and you are sure of the final product, then the waterfall method is apt for you.

Agile Method

• The agile method is a new and fresh project management methodology. 
• If you are looking for faster project delivery, then agile methodology is apt for you.
• Agile methodology focuses on robust testing, therefore, if your product is highly experimental and requires robust testing, then agile is the right approach for you. 
• If you need Minimum Viable Product (MVP) software, then Agile is a suitable approach as it will help you update the product faster. 
• So, for experimental businesses launching a new kind of product in the market, then agile must be prioritised.

Final Note

We find great things about agile methodology in the blog. So, whatever agile methodology you apply to your project, ensure it only results in the best. After all, the main aim of agile is to help teams to deliver better work with faster development. You need to look for a software development company in the UK

for a satisfactory project. You can contact us for software development services like food delivery app development services.

FAQs

1. Does agile software development cost more than traditional software development? 

Agile software development is only a different project management philosophy from traditional methods. It uses the same technologies and tools of development. Therefore, there is no difference in the cost. The software development cost depends only upon the project's complexities, features, and functions. 

2. What are some disadvantages of agile methodologies? 

Although agile is a popular and modern approach to software development, it is not free from disadvantages. To underline some anecdotal cons of agile methodologies, the following can be considered: 

1. Lacks Documentation: Agile principles encourage direct communication more than paperwork. However, it is easier to communicate in agile, documentation has its own advantages. A lack of proper documentation may result in miscommunication, ‘forgetting’ some instructions, losing direction and more. 
2. Depends Upon Team Collaboration: Agile is too dependent upon team collaboration. If the team has tensions, the same might be reflected in the project management as well. 
3. One Product, Multiple Engineers: In this methodology, multiple engineers having different qualifications, experiences, levels of expertise, and points of view work on the same project. This may lead to uneven quality of the product.
4. Not Suitable for Rigid Products: When a software product is well-defined and does not have much scope for alterations. In such cases, traditional approaches suit better. 

5. When should you not use Agile? 

When a project already has well-defined features, functions, and timelines, then using agile is not a requirement. Agile software development is for those projects that are experimental in nature. When the owner is not sure of the features, functions, and software performance in the public. Using the agile method, a software product can change its features and functions during the development phase as well. It is a flexible approach for such dynamic projects. 

4. What is an agile manifesto?

Agile Manifesto is a document that explains, the meaning, principles, and importance of agile software development. In short, it is a document that defines the entire philosophy of agile methodologies. The agile manifesto encourages open communication, everyone’s contribution to the project and teamwork.