Agile Software development
Agile Development is a methodologies that promotes iterations, open collaboration and process adaptability through out the life-cycle of a project.
Software that is developed in iterations that typically last from two to four weeks. These iterations are referred to as “Timeboxes”. Each iteration passes through the complete software development cycle.
1.Planning
2.Requirements Analysis
3.Design
4.Unit Testing
5.Coding
6.Demonstration to share holders
The goal is to have a bug free release at the end of each iterations. At the end of each iteration, stakeholders can re-evaluate project priorities with a view to optimize their ROI.
Agile development emphasizes bug free working software as the primary measure of progress. If a stakeholder requires documentation as a higher priority than working software, the working software priority shall be changed.
This form of software development is meant to combat the downfalls and political bureaucratic way software has been development in the past.
The Agile Manifesto
• Customer satisfaction by rapid, continuous delivery of useful software
• Working software is delivered frequently (weeks rather than months)
• Working software is the principal measure of progress
• Even late changes in requirements are welcomed
• Close, daily cooperation between business people and developers
• Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication (Co-location)
• Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted
• Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
• Simplicity
• Self-organizing teams
• Regular adaptation to changing circumstances
Contrasting development techniques
1. Waterfall Model
2. Cowboy Coding
For best practices using Agile, daily kickoff and review of goals meetings should be held. There should be short release cycles of software functionality. A responsive development approach should be taken. Generalize.
As this approach to software engineering become more widely accepted, and defined. The benefit to the stakeholders is apparent. While development time may be extended while inviting changes throughout the development cycle, scope creep will always be a part of software engineering.
Agile has many benefits from a RAD (Rapid Application Development) point of view. By providing working functionality to the stakeholder, a faster product is delivered over a longer period of time.