Agile Methodology for Development Projects

An increasingly dynamic, digital, and connected world calls for quick responses to customer demands, which requires more efficient and flexible processes. Agile software development methodology, or Agile, emerged in response to this need and has gained momentum in recent years. 

This methodology emerged from the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, published in 2001. The document remains a reference today and details principles and best practices aimed at delivering high-quality results faster, in line with customer needs. 

Core values of agile methodology

Agile methodologies divide work into clearly defined stages and involve ongoing communication with the client, ensuring dynamic interaction that greatly benefits teams. 

They are based on 4 core values that teams should observe: 

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools;
2. Working software over comprehensive and complete documentation;
3. Customer collaboration and interaction over negotiation and contracts;
4. Responding to change over following an initial plan.

Core principles of agile methodology

Agile methodology also has 12 principles:  

1. The priority is customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software;
2. Be open to changes at all times, even late in development. Agile processes should adapt to change to give the customer a competitive advantage;
3. Deliver working software frequently, preferably every few weeks;
4. Ensure daily collaboration between people who understand the business and developers;
5. Motivation and trust among the individuals involved in the project are essential;
6. Information is transmitted most effectively and efficiently through face-to-face conversations;
7. Working software is the primary measure of project progress;
8. Processes that use agile methodologies should promote a sustainable environment. Those involved (users, developers, sponsors) should be able to maintain a steady pace indefinitely;
9. To increase agility, it is important to pay continuous attention to technical excellence and good design; 
10. Simplicity is essential. It is essential to master the art of maximizing the amount of work not done.
11. The best architectures, designs, and requirements emerge from self-organizing teams;
12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective and adjusts its behavior accordingly. 

Most widely used agile methodologies

Agile methodology is a broad term that encompasses other methodologies developed from it. They use the concept of an agile mindset, with some adaptations to their practices. Here are a few:   

Scrum

Of the various agile methodology frameworks, Scrum is the most widely used. It is characterized by sprints, which are stages in project development. It is also used in the business world, with adaptations.

One of its main features is daily 15-minute meetings called “daily meetings,” which are intended to synchronize activities and find the best way to plan the team's work. 

Feature-Driven Development (FDD)

This methodology focuses on features, giving the team the opportunity to plan incrementally. When combined with Scrum, it performs better, since it focuses on the development process, while Scrum focuses on management. 

It is recommended for projects that will inevitably undergo changes, and it enables agility throughout these processes. 

FDD begins with an overall analysis of the business, followed by a detailed breakdown of the product into areas to be modeled. Next, planning is based on the feature list, followed by detailed work tailored to the customer's needs. This is why ongoing contact with the customer is essential. 

Kanban

This method uses a board or table divided into columns to show a project's production workflow, so everyone can see what stage a task is at. It generally uses basic columns such as “to do,” “doing,” and “done.” 

Lean Development

Applied to software development, this methodology derives from a strategy created by Toyota called Lean Manufacturing. The automaker's method provides a conceptual framework and follows guidelines that can be applied to the agile model, including best practices, values, and principles. 

Extreme Programming (XP)

It has three pillars: agility in solution development, quality, and resource efficiency. 

An agreement on attitudes and behaviors guides the team's actions in every task, ensuring the integration and synergy needed to carry out activities effectively. 

Rational Unified Process (RUP)

This methodology aims to meet users' needs through high-quality production within a predictable schedule and budget.

In RUP, it must be clearly defined who is responsible for what, how activities are carried out, and when they should be completed. All development goals should also be described in specific terms.

VitaminaWeb is committed to the best user experience

You've learned a little about some of the most widely used agile methodologies, but there are others. Agile methodology is an effective and efficient way to deliver the best results, tailored to the customer's aspirations. 

VitaminaWeb is a company that is always looking for the best ways to deliver the satisfaction customers want. The entire company works together to provide users with the best possible experience and pays attention to every step and everyone involved until the project is delivered.