SDLC Best Practices for Agile Development
Tags: softwaredevelopment, agile, softwareengineering
Published: 2023-12-08 13:24:09

<h2><span style="font-size:16pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Introduction</span></span></span></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">The </span>software development life cycle<span style="color:#434343"> (SDLC) is imperative to Agile development and is crucial in following a structured methodology for managing a set framework. While Agile suggests flexibility, collaboration, and quick alterations - SDLC ensures these principles are followed religiously.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">SDLC provides a systematic approach to software planning, <a href="https://www.netsolutions.com/software-development-company">software development</a>, testing, and deployment, assuring high-quality deliverables while preserving a dynamic and adaptable environment. Agile development may need a well-defined SDLC to have the structure and discipline required to produce effective results.</span></span></span></p>

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<h2><span style="font-size:16pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Overview of Agile Development</span></span></span></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Agile development is a present-day software development method emphasizing adaptability, cooperation, and customer satisfaction. It prioritizes iterative and incremental delivery, allowing teams to adjust quickly to changing requirements and market realities. At its foundation, </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343"><strong>Agile focuses on dividing large projects into smaller, manageable parts known as iterations or sprints.</strong></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Agile development takes place in short cycles, often spanning from one to four weeks, in which a cross-functional team works closely together to deliver a working increment of software. This iterative strategy provides regular consumer input, more openness, and continual improvement throughout development. Individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and responsiveness to change are all valued in the Agile Manifesto, which explains its key concepts.</span></span></span></p>

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<h2><span style="font-size:16pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">SDLC in Agile Development</span></span></span></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">The SDLC (software development life cycle) governs the software development process from beginning to end. The SDLC is altered in Agile methodology to coincide with Agile development&#39;s iterative and incremental nature. It provides structure and flexibility, allowing Agile teams to quickly plan, execute, and deliver software projects while adapting to change.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">The Agile SDLC is divided into many essential segments.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">During the planning phase, the team works together to set project objectives, prioritize tasks, and separate work into manageable chunks using approaches such as user stories and product backlog management. During the requirements-collecting phase, the emphasis is on continual cooperation with stakeholders to elicit and refine user demands. Agile teams interact constantly and adapt to changing requirements.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Agile&#39;s design phase focuses on developing flexible and scalable architectural and technological standards. Code is created and implemented progressively in short cycles of development. Continuous integration procedures guarantee code updates are tested and integrated regularly. Testing is an essential aspect of the Agile SDLC, taking place continually to ensure functionality and quality. Once a software increment has been produced and tested, it is distributed utilizing continuous deployment procedures to provide value to consumers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Organizations ensure well-structured and effective development processes by incorporating the SDLC into Agile. Teams can provide high-quality software while being adaptable and sensitive to change thanks to the Agile SDLC phases of planning, requirements collecting, design, development, testing, and deployment.</span></span></span></p>

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<h2><span style="font-size:16pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Best practices for Agile SDLC</span></span></span></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Now that we&#39;ve addressed the significance of the Agile SDLC let&#39;s look at some of the best practices for improving your Agile development processes. These techniques improve efficiency, cooperation, and quality across the software development life cycle. Let&#39;s get started -</span></span></span></p>

<ol>
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	<h3><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD):&nbsp;</span></span></span></h3>
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</ol>

<p style="margin-left:48px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">CI/CD increases development efficiency through automation. Techniques and tools automate the build, test, and deployment processes, delivering quicker and more reliable software updates.</span></span></span></p>

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	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<h3><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">User Stories and Backlog Management:&nbsp;</span></span></span></h3>
	</li>
</ol>

<p style="margin-left:48px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">User stories are critical for documenting requirements. Effective product backlog creation and management approaches help prioritize and arrange activities, ensuring that the development team concentrates on delivering value to consumers.</span></span></span></p>

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	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<h3><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Iterative and Incremental Development:&nbsp;</span></span></span></h3>
	</li>
</ol>

<p style="margin-left:48px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Agile uses iterations or sprints to divide work into smaller chunks. This method offers greater flexibility, quicker feedback, and the capacity to react to changing needs, resulting in more manageable and successful development projects.</span></span></span></p>

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	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<h3><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Cross-Functional Collaboration:&nbsp;</span></span></span></h3>
	</li>
</ol>

<p style="margin-left:48px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Agile relies heavily on team collaboration. Practices that promote effective communication and cooperation, such as daily stand-up meetings and shared task ownership, help Agile teams coordinate and synergize more effectively.</span></span></span></p>

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	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<h3><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Continuous Testing and Quality Assurance:&nbsp;</span></span></span></h3>
	</li>
</ol>

<p style="margin-left:48px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Testing and quality assurance are critical components of Agile development. Testing is included throughout development to guarantee that software satisfies quality requirements. Automated testing and early bug discovery strategies improve overall program quality.</span></span></span></p>

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	<li style="list-style-type:decimal">
	<h3><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Retrospectives and Continuous Improvement:&nbsp;</span></span></span></h3>
	</li>
</ol>

<p style="margin-left:48px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#434343">Agile relies heavily on retrospectives. They let the team reflect on its work, identify areas for development, and promote continual improvement in processes, communication, and overall project performance.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

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<h2><span style="font-size:16pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Tools and Technologies for Agile SDLC</span></span></span></h2>

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			<td style="background-color:#d9ead3; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:bottom; width:182px">
			<p><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Tools and Technologies</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Key Features</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:13.999999999999998pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Benefits</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Project Management Tools</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">User story tracking, task management, collaboration</span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Improved visibility, organization, efficient backlog</span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:182px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Version Control Systems</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Branching, change tracking, collaboration</span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Concurrent development, code sharing, version control</span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:182px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>CI/CD Tools</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:220px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Automated build, test, and deployment processes</span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:222px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Accelerated delivery, early bug detection, code quality</span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:182px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Test Automation Tools</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Automated testing frameworks, cross-browser support</span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:222px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Faster testing, increased coverage, early defect detection</span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:182px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Collaboration and Communication Tools</strong></span></span></span></p>
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			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Real-time messaging, file sharing, project documentation</span></span></span></p>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:middle; width:222px">
			<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Enhanced communication, centralized documentation</span></span></span></p>
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<h2><span style="font-size:16pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Wrapping Up</span></span></span></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Adopting best practices for the Agile <a href="https://www.netsolutions.com/insights/software-development-life-cycle/">SDLC improves software development</a> projects&#39; success and efficiency. Teams can achieve better results in their Agile development processes by incorporating continuous integration and deployment, utilizing user stories and effective backlog management, practicing iterative and incremental development, fostering cross-functional collaboration, implementing continuous testing and quality assurance, and conducting retrospectives for constant improvement.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Roboto,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000">Organizations can unleash the full potential of Agile development and create high-quality software solutions that match customer expectations by applying these best practices and leveraging the proper technologies. Adopt these strategies and technologies to advance your Agile development and achieve success in today&#39;s fast-paced software business.</span></span></span></p>

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