Simply put, software development life-cycle is complex. Development methodologies aim to simplify it to some extent. Some of the popular methodologies are:
- Waterfall
- Big Bang
- Iterative
- Agile
The problem with Waterfall and Big Bang is that the process, as a whole, becomes predictable. You need to do a lot of planning and estimation for it.
Agile software development, on the other hand, promises flexibility. Both, the client and the developer are allowed to make changes during the progress of a project. This is not possible in other methodologies. The methodologies used in Agile project management are:
- Scrum
- XP
- Kanban
These follow the Agile Manifesto based on continuous improvement, flexibility, the input of the team, and the delivery of results with high quality.
Image credit: Orion Advisor
Agile development is common when creating custom software solutions. Let’s find out why everyone prefers this approach often.
Benefits of Agile Development Methodology
We are elaborating on the following six benefits:
1. Faster time to market means getting a quicker ROI
Agile software is synonymous with continuous development. It enables companies to make and implement small changes quickly. Even larger projects can be processed step-by-step as smaller components. This helps businesses push their products into production quickly.
In addition, such frequent and quick developments help to deliver new products faster. This helps businesses to quickly adapt to dynamic market conditions.
2. Embrace Change Anytime Without Any Fear
As we mentioned earlier, software projects are susceptible to changes every now and then. Once the development begins, the client may come up with new changes. Agile projects can easily embrace such changes. Your product’s development will virtually be effortless.
Earlier, it was a different case. The issue will only be discovered after project completion. In agile development, issues can be addressed almost instantly. New or backlog activities can be planned for the next iteration. This means everything can be delivered in weeks and not in months or years.
3. More Transparency
In agile development, the client can be a part of the development process. From the initial stages, clients can participate in the product’s journey till it goes live. This includes everything from start to finish. This serves a dual purpose: it ensures that the final product meets quality specifications and also provides the desired functionality.
4. Predictable Costs and Schedule
Every sprint is of a fixed duration. Hence, the cost is predictable and will usually not exceed the amount of work that can be performed by the team in the fixed-schedule time box. Now, the client is in a good position to estimate the development cost prior to each sprint. This improves decision-making about which features to keep and what additional iterations to make.
5. Stakeholder Engagement is Possible
Involving the client in the software development process is a good thing. But it’s more important to gain the trust of the product’s end users. Companies that don’t understand the market’s real expectations will most likely fail. With agile development, it’s possible to bring the users (stakeholders) on board.
They can test the product, understand its capabilities, and suggest additional improvements. This ensures a higher probability of success when the product hits the market.
6. Better Focus on the Business’s Core Objectives
It’s a fact that businesses exist to earn a profit. Any company undertaking a new software development project should ensure that:
- The company can develop software efficiently.
- The software can readily integrate into other systems.
- It’s easy to customize the software.
Developers, project managers, and business analysts should be aware of the needs of the business they are working for. The requirements of each organization are different. What works for one company may prove inefficient for another.
Software developers should keep their eyes and ears open at all times. They need to understand what the client is asking for and what the client requires. These two are not always the same. So it’s the product team’s responsibility to consult the client appropriately.
Challenges in Agile Development
No technological approach is complete without its downsides. Here are two of them:
- People’s behavioral changes: Embracing the agile approach means changing the way we work. As humans, we are resistant to changes and avoid confronting them. In most organizations, this is the main reason why agile development is not done how it is supposed to.
- Lack of dedicated cross-functional teams: In the Agile Manifesto, the term ‘developer’ refers to product developers and not the coders. There are insufficient resources with cross-functional skillsets when it comes to agile development.
A Final Word
Agile methodology can work wonders for both software development companies and their clients. From reducing the time to market to ensuring better product quality, the list of benefits is long. Brainvire is a leading Digital Enabler and IT consulting firm that follows this approach. In fact, this is the reason for its success in the past 20 years. You too can be a part of our success story by getting in touch with our experts.
