Essay on Agile Software Development Methodologies

Agile Project management is one of the industries dominating methodology for project management in IT. It is an incremental and iterative way to manage the build and design activities for constructing an IT product, services, and project development in manner which is highly interactive and flexible. In this methodology, scope is defined in granularity that is appropriate with time horizon and checked with the agreement on each feature with the customer. In this methodology work steps are divided with feature breakdown structures. In order to track the progress of the project progress charts are used instead of Gantt charts. Cross-functional and test-driven development teams starts working from the very beginning of the project to provide

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. (+)

The preferred methodologies for managing a software’s lifecycle are a major factor in deciding how a firm reacts to market demands. The major SDLC frameworks followed are the waterfall model, Agile methodology (scrum) and Kanban. We will discuss this answer

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.

“Agile” was first introduced in 2001, by a team of software engineers looking to improve their adaptiveness and responsiveness to ever-changing requirements. Not knowing where to begin, the team began by formulating principles, which they would use to guide their new development process. Which, in turn, lead to the creation of the Agile Manifesto, and thus a new methodology was born.

One of the initial steps in researching a problem is to know exactly what the problem is and compose a problem statement that unambiguously identifies and defines the problem to research. Sekaran (2003) said, “No amount of good research can find solutions to the situation, if the critical issue or the problem to be studied is not clearly pinpointed” (p. 69). The area of research for this paper focuses on software development, in particular, the study of agile software development methodologies and if these methodologies are successful in delivering software on time, within budget, and includes the requested features.

Using the Agile approach enabled us to organize the software project into chorological order from the User Requirements to the End product. The requirements were formed by meeting our client Fernando on regular bases discussing the requirements of the program. He would assure

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

In Early 2000s, various software systems development methodologies were introduced and were started getting popular. One of them was agile method. Agile is a group of the latest and popular software systems development life cycle methodologies work in iterative way. All the requirements/needs and solutions are solved through collaboration between a development team and a business stakeholder. Agile method usually enhances an organized project management method which promotes regular assessment and revision. And the scrum is a sub group of agile. It is an iterative and incremental agile software development methodology for managing complex software and product development (“The Scrum Guide”).

Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software (History: The Agile Manifesto)..

Abstract: Agile software development is a conceptual framework for software engineering that promotes development in iterations throughout the life-cycle of the project .Software developed during one unit of time is referred to as an iteration, which may last from one to four week Scrum is part of the Agile movement. It is a lightweight process framework for agile development. The Scrum method is most often used to manage complex software and product development, using iterative and incremental practices. And results have been shown about significantly increase in productivity and reduces time to benefits relative to classic “waterfall” processes. But scrum method also have some problems and to overcome the problems a new approach is proposed

how they should be applied, none have used project data to clearly conclude which one is

Agile techniques should be used to solve the current issues faced by the company as agile techniques normally being used by the software industry help the business to act in response under the unpredictable situations faced. In Agile methodologies opportunities are been provided to evaluate whether the project is under the direction all through its development cycle. All this is being accomplished with the help of regular tempo kept in work, and the teams must show a product which is having the desired potential.

Agile is an iterative and incremental (evolutionary) approach to software development which is performed in a highly collaborative manner by self-organizing teams within an effective governance framework, with "just enough" ceremony, that produces high quality solutions, in a cost effective and timely manner which meets the changing needs of its stakeholders [1].

Yet another method is extreme programming (XP). It is also a software development method which improves software quality and responsiveness to changing customer requirement (extreme). This program has proved very successful at many companies. It is successful because it focuses on customer satisfaction. Extreme programming emphasizes teamwork. In this program, managers, customers and developers are all equal partners in a team. Extreme programing improves a software project in different ways which are communication, simplicity, feedback, respect and courage. In this method, programmers constantly communicate with their customers. They keep their design simple and clean. They get feedback by testing their software and deliver the system to the customer as soon as possible and implement changes as suggested. Every team member involvement is essential for the success of the program. With this foundation extreme programmers are able to courageously respond to changing requirement and technology (Extreme Programming).