Agile Methodology For Developing Better Software And Reduce Risk Essay

Agile processes do not devote much time up front to formal system specifications, but rather relies on continuous communication with the customer throughout the development process. The process accounts for the fact that needs often change or cannot be fully developed early on and is flexible to this. (+)

Introduction to Agile Methods by Hayes and Andrews gives detailed-oriented information about different aspects of agile methods like why there is a need for new software development processes and pitfalls of traditionally methodologies and how this lead to emergence of agile methods. They describe various existing agile methods but describes only one in great detailed – Extreme Programming(XP). They define Extreme Programming as agile, adaptive software methodology having well defined values - Communication, Simplicity, Feedback, and Courage. Failing in achieving this values will result in failing Extreme Programming. Extreme Programming is used only when you have complete understanding of the business and requirements. Extreme Programming follow a series of iteration to deliver the final project. Initially the story heard from the customer is broken down into smaller stories such that the developers can assign time to develop that stories and then its deliver to the customers for feedback. Coach plays a vital role in Extreme Programming. Afterwards Hayes and Andrews describe how XP differs from traditional methodologies. They also explain the common misconception about Extreme Programming is spread around the world. There are only fewer companies in the world that uses Extreme Programming because people are afraid of changing to new methods.

While Fred Brooks was managing IBM’s OS/360 development he noted a law of software engineering that, after 50 years is still being taught today. "Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later"(Brooks 25). This quote identified, as “Brooks law” is a principle, along with many others outline in

The development team started small, using one large company’s needs as the jumping off point, and developed the programming as it went live. Testing was done on the usability, and when it was successful, C.H. Robinson moved on to the next customer that had the same or similar needs as the previous customer. The tiered approach allowed for small changes to be made at a time, using the minimal viable product (MVP) or the minimum to go live. More extensive needs were addressed later, once the basics were well established. A team consisting of IT, business leaders, and the customer made any requests for

Project Management Office (PMO) and Agile method are highly reputable terms in many organizations, especially in their IT projects. The PMO is a group of people or committee within an organization that is responsible to define and maintain standards and practices for traditional project management. The ultimate objective for the PMO is to gain the benefits that are derived from applying Project Management (PM) methods, practices and policies. Thus, the PMO over time will become the origin for documentation, guidance and metrics regarding to any practices that are involved in managing projects within the organization, as well as it will be the communication channel that

The Goal was not to create an anti-methodology but rather create a methodology that achieved balance. Prior to the formation of the Agile methodology many other methodologies existed, many of which still exist. One such methodology is the Waterfall methodology. The Waterfall approach is a very linear (and not agile) style of development. In Waterfall development there are several steps that take place starting with the conception, followed by the initiation, then the analysis, which is followed by design, then construction. After the construction is complete the process moves into testing, implementation and then lastly maintenance. One downside to this sequential flow of processes is that once a task is completed there is no going back. If the requirements where wrong or changed the entire project is destined to fail. In contrast, the very nature of Agile development is to be able to quickly adapt to changes in requirements (Agile & Waterfall Methodologies). The Agile Manifesto outlines twelve principles that make Agile “Agile”

Agile is a necessary and effective part of the evolution of project. As stated previously, in today’s environment traditional or plan-driven Project Management typically defines project success as delivering “on time, within budget, and meeting requirements”. In order to meet this definition of success, we have matured project management processes to try and “manage” what is a natural occurrence: chaos.

As a result of the Software Development Industry struggling to deal with the complexities of developing software within a hypercompetitive market, projects continue to fail at an alarming rate. According to the Standish Group 's CHAOS Manifesto 2012 report, project statistics across the United States and Europe were analyzed to determine if the projects were successful, challenged or failed. The results of the report found that only 37% of all IT projects were successful (on time, within budget and included the required functionality); 42% were challenged (delivered late, over budget and/or with less functionality then required); and 21% failed and had to be cancelled prior to completion and/or were never implemented (Standish, 2012).

Project Management Offices only exist within organizations that follow very structured, formalized methodologies. At least this is the information that we are provided or is accepted as a common belief. In many cases, this is indeed the case. In an Agile environment, the speed at which things occur can be very quick and is more concentrated on successful outcomes instead of worrying about bureaucratic red tape, which is normally the staple of the PMO, which tend to slow things up. This does not have to be the case. The PMO does not have to only operate in environments with a pure waterfall lifecycle. It can easily operate well within incremental lifecycles such as agile. Each lifecycle is different but they all

This “inspect-and-adapt” technique reduces the development cost and release time for the project is kept

Over the last 13 years, since the publication of Agile Manifesto, Agile has become very popular and there has been a steady rise in the adoption of agile development methodologies resulting into an increased volume of successful projects and highly motivated and self-organized IT development teams.

and new demands from users (Uikey & Suman, 2012). The SDLC focuses on the prime

The prototyping phase involves making critical decisions regarding the functionality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of the new system to be developed [Ambler, 2002]. It is part of the rudimentary phase of software development cycle, there can be significant cost of iteration if there are any major changes that are made to the system functionality after the design gets converted into code implementations or in a working model. In the development cycle, there are many instances during the process of software development when the stakeholders/clients change their requirements mid-way or the development team may have misinterpreted

Software development is one of the highest demands in all over the world. We use software development techniques to solve the problems and to satisfy customers. Agile software development is a conceptual framework for software; it is also a group of software development methods based on iterative development. In 2001, agile software development was created by seventeen people with a desire to find alternative approaches to software development. The most important thing about agile methods are team work, conveying information to the team, face to face conversation, and satisfy the customer. There are various methodologies but I am going to describe the most popular ones.

A range of research approaches can generate different and richer information about a complex phenomenon such as software development. In particular, qualitative research methods have been advocated in this regard, although they still occupy a relatively marginal position in software engineering research compared to quantitative methods.