Choose the Best Agile Product Development Method for a Successful Business

Progress is a word that resonates with each one of the business owners. It is that continuous improvement that helps them to reach the pinnacle of success. Agile is one such methodology that is used by almost every organization these days. Agile methodology is the proper management and monitoring of step-by-step progress that has attracted business owners to it.

Introduction

Unlike the traditional, time-boggling development methods like the waterfall model, spiral method, etc., agile is more inclined towards continuous communication between the client and the engineering team. Agile software development focuses on the micromanagement of things by tracking the smallest progress in a defined manner. This way the changes in the requirements that occur even in the middle of the project completion are infused more progressively.

Types of Agile Methodologies

There are different types of agile methodologies, based on your requirements, you can choose among the following:

1. Scrum
2. Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
3. Kanban
4. Extreme Programming
5. Feature-driven Development
6. Dynamic Systems Development Method
7. Crystal
8. Lean

• Scrum

Scrum, the most widely used agile methodology, is the pioneer of agile. It is based on micro planning where every small goal is set and achieved in a given period. It follows a basic structure of specialization, where big room planning is done for accomplishing the goal. This goal is further divided into numerous short-term goals that are achieved as per the time management specifications of the scrum methodology.

If we look closely, scrum has a structure like that of a tree, where there are different stages of product development and time management in parallel.

This table depicts a clearer picture of how the Scrum methodology works.

A typical scrum methodology consists of releases. These releases comprise the development of a cluster of features in various disciplines. Now, in a single release, the work is divided into cycles. These cycles are further divided into months. For example, if a release is to happen in the next 6 months, it can have two processes of 3 months each. One cycle is divided into several sprints. And finally, a sprint is two weeks, including weekends and holidays.

Similarly, a feature is the big picture of a product which is explained in a more detailed manner in epic. So, if a feature is big, it can be explained in multiple epics. Epics are further divided into user stories, which are dedicated to individual team members, say a developer, a tester, a designer, a tech writer, and so on.

Used in Projects like:

1. Web Development
2. Agile Management Courses
3. Mobile App Development
4. IT Service Management
5. Cloud Computing Projects

• Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

SAFe or Scaled Agile Framework is technically an extension of agile practices. It is a framework that encompasses team handling on an enterprise scale. Unlike other agile methodologies where a handful of teams coordinate, plan and execute a goal, SAFe focuses on the larger picture.

SAFe is a framework for agile software development that eyes on handling larger teams. It guides not only cross-functional teams but also cross-functional organizations. Helping in organizing a high-compliance setup, SAFe is the primary choice of some of the world’s biggest companies like Cisco, Barclays, Panera Breads, and so on. You can manage agile teams and portfolios, abiding by the company’s strategies, almost seamlessly. On a broader spectrum, it would be justified to say that SAFe is a perfect amalgamation of agile principles, Lean, DevOps, and System Thinking. Four levels of SAFe are dedicated to various types of configurations, mainly depending upon the complexities of projects. Let’s understand the levels through this table.

One of the most important reasons that invite organizations to adopt SAFe is to attain business agility. It functions in a way that classifies not just the progress of a team but that of the whole organization(s). It keeps businesses ahead of their games by adapting to the latest market changes and grabbing the progressive opportunities that thrive for innovation.

SAFe can be used in projects that:

1. Handle larger teams
2. Are meant for bigger enterprises
3. Align their portfolios with market advancements

• Kanban

Derived from the Japanese word, this agile methodology can be termed “just-in-time”. In this method the core is transparency. The idea is to have everything available on the same page/board. In Kanban, there is a board designed in rows and columns. Here, an agile software development company can have information on every component of the project following its progress. This board is updated as per the advancement of the project. In case any new task is added to be done, a card is created.

Kanban is also more or less similar to scrum methodology, only the difference comes in terms of presentation and micromanagement of the software development process.

Used in Projects like:

1. Design and Production
2. Production Support
3. UX Designing Projects
4. Patch Releases
5. Press Releases
6. Report Development

• Extreme Programming

As the name suggests, Extreme Programming gives you extreme results. This methodology is mainly based on the coordination between developers, clients, team managers, team architects, and the other members involved. It begins with the testing of software from its primary stage. The primary focus in this agile framework is given to discussion, communication, and collaboration.

The development team is always flexible enough to make changes to the product even after its final testing stage. There is a lot of planning, testing, customer acceptance, refactoring, pair programming, etc. Though this method needs a lot of hard work and a great amount of coordination, the result is amazing. Extreme Programming is not very popular due to its nature of continuous changes.

Used in Projects with:

1. Less staff maintenance
2. No Constant Functionalities
3. Frequent delivery of products

• Feature-driven Development

Another finest agile framework is Feature-driven Development. This method is a combination of five steps, namely:

1. Creating a complete model
2. Making a list of features
3. Planning according to features
4. Designing for that feature
5. Building that feature

This agile methodology is following the above steps for two weeks. So, you have to strategize everything to get fit in two weeks. This method requires high-end designers, developers, and high-level planning. Like Extreme Programming, this method is also not very popular as say scrum methodology.

Used in Projects with:

1. A large number of employees
2. Complex Processes
3. Feature-driven Projects
4. Projects with a long-term development process

• Dynamic Systems Development Method

This method is more of a quick delivery framework, primarily designed for common industries. Here, everything has to be fast because depending upon the changes in the requirements, the developers are supposed to be flexible enough to incorporate them, reverse the work, rework the product, and so on. It is entirely based on business needs. So, some of the things that play a key role here are:

1. Eye on goal
2. Timely delivery of the project
3. Team collaboration
4. Keeping up with the product quality
5. Iterative development of the product
6. Transparency in communication

Used in Projects with:

1. On-time delivery
2. Budget-friendly projects
3. All sizes of projects
4. Any given business sectors

So, the dynamic systems development method can be used in any type of agile software development, depending upon the organization’s preferences.

• Crystal

This is a huge agile framework that has different subgroups. Crystal is a methodology that emphasizes team interaction and collaboration. It gives full freedom to the project team in terms of running the process. A team can have its process to go on with a project. This framework was created keeping in mind human interaction and how many tremendous ideas it can bring to the table.

Based on the size of your team, you can choose any of the following crystal families.

Where is crystal methodology applicable?

Unlike other agile methodologies, crystal is completely dependent on teams’ interests. As mentioned above, it is not dependent on one set of tools or processes, rather it is more of a team-driven methodology. So, depending upon the teams’ requirements, it can change its methodology on and off.

• Lean

Derived from Lean manufacturing, Toyota, in this agile software development, the same framework is designed for software development. It focuses on the quality development of a product. Here are the points of importance:

1. Focus on quality
2. Proper documentation of infrastructure
3. Refrain from spending too much time in planning without understanding the actual requirements
4. Effective team management and coordination
5. Optimization of workflow

Lean can be used in organizations where the focus is on:

1. Optimization of workforce
2. Best use of resources
3. No wastage of efforts
4. Becoming valuable for the customers
5. Improving quality control

It is from this wide variety of agile methodologies; you can choose the one that is more appropriate for your business. If followed in a regulated manner, these frameworks can give your business excellent results.