5 Reasons for Choosing an Agile Approach for Software Development Project

Tags: devops, productivity
Published: 2019-08-24 06:06:32

An agile approach is the most used development trend in software companies. For a software development project, the agile scrum method is used to help build a successful and relevant end product. The team effort in agile development methodology is the most critical aspect. Agile methodology is applicable in any department of the business or a company. The completion and scope of a project are easily achievable with a proper project roadmap. This roadmap is given by the agile methodology and this is the reason that a large number of software companies are using it to deliver their project. Such projects include a complete scheme at a specified deadline and are itself the proof of significant effort. 

All the project requirements are fulfilled with a proper follow of agile methodology. From functional and non-functional requirements to <a href="https://medium.com/@emilydaniel3103/api-strategy-every-developers-should-adopt-48b1029d503a">API</a> integration to information security. All the software development project needs are delivered with responsibility. On the other hand, if compare it with waterfall methodology, the market is changing continuously, the competitors and requirements are varying constantly with time. One cannot follow the specified roadmap and foresee what the client actually wants. The traditional waterfall methodology does not overlap with the way how real-life actually works. This is the biggest disadvantage and the reason why companies prefer agile development methodology on the waterfall.

The agile development approach assists companies to move with the trend, move according to what actually is in demand of the market today. The user’s and market needs are only entertained with this proposition. The requirements are easy to cater to it throughout the development cycle. 
Below are some major reasons which make agile development method a demand for software companies:

<h2><b>Reason#1 Quick Feedback Incorporation</h2></b>

The changes in the development project are easily victualed if the software development methodology is ‘agile’. The changes are most often the result of receiving and giving feedback to the development team. It does not matter how fast a product is delivered if it is not fulfilling the demanding specifications, the hard work is of no use. All the features in the software project must be catered in the agile sprints. As the feedback has grand importance, without this one cannot put effort into something. Feedback helps you to use the software assets in an efficient manner and incorporate them before the next sprint meeting. This cycle helps in healthy meetings and better incorporation of the requirements been requested from the client-side. Quick feedback incorporation is the reason for the adoption of an agile practice while developing a full-fledge software project.

<h2><b>Reason#2 Better Software Project Organization</h2></b> 

Agile development means automation and efficiency. The sprints help in better organization of a project. Sprint plannings, sprint meetings, sprint review, etc. have a purpose behind them. Each member of the team is focused on the goal, the idea of the project is thin, each member knows the amount of effort it needs to put into the project and meet the demands. 
This is the key to impress the stakeholders with an exceptional working strategy and end product. Following are the basic key points which are required to organize the project better:
The very first step that should be considered is that, enlist the functionalities of the project
Use organization tools that could help in better management of time and tasks
Prioritize the duties
Assign tasks to the appropriate person in the team
Evaluate them, provide feedback
Restructure tasks to get an idea about what is done and needs more attention

<h2><b>Reason#3 Team Building</h2></b>

Building an agile team is very important for the development of a successful software project. It takes time to create a healthy and engaging environment among the team. The members need to focus on the purpose of the project by putting extra effort into it. The vision should be clear enough to achieve the goals. The working strategy should be designed such that it consolidates the team effort with the right processes. For this there are several stages;

1. Forming stage: In this stage, team members need to know each other, share useful information, and note down the rules which need to be followed throughout the project timeline.
2. Storming stage: In this stage, team members need to follow certain guidelines and goals to keep themselves on the same page.
3. Norming stage: this stage the most important stage in the agile development, it demands a remarkable strategy to work on, the roadmap according to which the whole tenure would work. This will help in determining the shared value of the project and keep it onto the track of success.
4. Performing stage: In this stage, team members collaborate with each other and work on a shared product to create value in the market. 

All these stages include the sharing of different ideas, methods and working strategies. Such a healthy environment contributes to the ideal development project.


<h2><b>Reason#4 Efficient Use of Tools</h2></b>

In teamwork, there is a need to have a look at the tasks each member performs, how tasks are categorized and what should be working strategy to be followed by each member. Software development requires tools to manage the project efficiently. This would help in:

<ul>
<li>Understanding the project</li>
<li>Categorizing the requirements of the project</li>
<li>Prioritizing the tasks</li> 
<li>Assigning the tasks to the appropriate person in the team
<li>Following the project timeline efficiently</li>
<li>To markdown the tasks which are done so that each member knows the productivity level of the project and maintain the working pace accordingly</li>
</ul>

Software companies adopt such management ways that are part of the agile methodology. To stay focused and determined, this is a crucial step for the development team that helps them follow a track. 

<h2><b>Reason#5 High Productivity Level</h2></b>

The major benefit of choosing an agile development is to <a href="https://medium.com/@emilydaniel3103/how-can-software-developers-boost-up-their-learning-process-6cf5572a1885">boost up</a> the productivity level of the company. The team has clear goals, the timeline is decided and each member of the team knows his particular tasks. In case any programmer needs time to learn some new programming language or method, the project agenda would clear the timeline in which the developer needs to complete the learning process <a href="https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/7-tips-for-that-can-help-learn-programming-faster-76845b7794de">quickly</a>. This clear vision is definitely contributing to the increase in the productivity of the team.