Agile Principles

Introduction to Agile Principles

Thirty years ago, people did not have the idea of automation or information technology. Once the computer was invented, the world started changing rapidly. Considering recent events we have seen a lot of changes, for example from floppy disk to cloud storage, from a room full of computing machines to smartphones. All these advancements wouldn’t be possible without technology and innovation. Here we are going to learn about Agile and its Principle.

When it comes to technology, each and every day a new technology is invented. When we use the term technology it is not just related to Information technology, it is applicable to business, government, hospitals, etc.

So technology and software development goes hand in hand. To say it in layman’s term, software development in an integral part of technology. Software development process means dividing software development work into different phases to improve the design, product management, and project management. Another termed coined with software development is software development life cycle.

Software development life cycle also called as SDLC defines a process which includes planning, creating, testing, and deploying software. Ideally, SDLC includes six steps.

• Analysis
• Design
• Development and testing
• Implementation
• Documentation
• Evaluation

Different types of SDLC

1. Waterfall model
2. V-shaped model
3. Evolutionary prototype model
4. Spiral model
5. Iterative and incremental model
6. Agile model

What is Agile Model?

The agile method of software development has been adopted by most of the companies. It is a method wherein we use display board like Kanban and methods like Scrum. This agile methodology is adopted because it improves the agility of software professionals, teams and organizations. In agile the solution for any work will be through collaboration between self-organizing and cross-functional teams.

To say it in other terms, agile is a process that allows teams to focus on delivering the highest quality in the shortest time. It uses an iterative approach wherein each work will be reviewed again and again until its goal has been met.

12 Principles in Agile Methodology

Manifesto for agile Principle is based on twelve principles they are as follow:

1. Customer satisfaction by delivering the software early.
2. Accept the change requirement, even in the later stage of development.
3. Delivering the software frequently.
4. Daily cooperation between business people and developers.
5. Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted.
6. A face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication (co-location).
7. Working on the project rather than planning.
8. Sustainable development, able to maintain a constant pace.
9. Continuous attention excellence and better design.
10. The maximizing of the work efficiency.
11. Best design, the best solution, and architecture emerged from self-organizing.
12. Regularly meeting to discuss the team’s improvement.

1. Customer Satisfaction by Delivering the Software Early

In the agile method, we give utmost importance to customer satisfaction. Here, the aim is to give the customer an early and continuous delivery of valuable software. There will be periodical interaction with the client about the ongoing software development cycle.

2. Accept the Change Requirement, Even in the Later Stage of Development

When the team is working on the deliverables and there is a new request or a change from the client regarding the ongoing development then the agile helps us to harness that request and adopt the change requested by the client to ongoing development. This helps the client to reach the goal easier and the team to adapt to that change. It’s hard when we have to adapt to the change when developing the software but change could be good if we can react to it fast.

3. Delivering the Software Frequently

When we can deliver the product periodically it helps to identify the changes required and miscommunication, if any, with the client. Rather than delivering after all the development in which the developer cannot entertain any changes requested by the client. In this method, we can give incremental development and entertain any changes requested by the client. Let us move to the next Agile principle.

4. Daily Co-operation Between Business People and Developers

When there is daily interaction with the business people and developers it helps the developers to work in the right direction and adapt if any changes requested by the customer. And, the client will be aware of the progress that is happening in the team. This makes the work to happen smoothly and transparently.

5. Projects are Built Around Motivated Individuals, Who Should be Trusted?

When people who are motivated to work are given the environment and support they need to complete the task. Then it will be beneficial for the client as well as the developers to reach the desired task. Having trust in the developer and standing by their side will help them to work comfortably. There won’t be any necessity for the micromanagement of the individuals.

6. Face-to-Face Conversation is the Best Form of Communication

When having a face to face conversation we can convey the information effectively and in the most efficient way. Though sometimes developers will in different places, an effort should be made to have communication, if possible, face to face.

7. Working on the Project Rather than Planning

Working on the software should be the primary target. When working on it the developers will have to concentrate only on the development. But, if you concentrate on following the plan then the developer will be diverted in activities like documentation etc.

8. Sustainable Development, Able to Maintain a Constant Pace

The agile helps the developers to maintain a constant pace throughout the development cycle. This is termed as constant velocity and we can have a measure of the team’s potential. So that going forward we can take up the work based on the team’s velocity. Let us move to the next Agile principle.

9. Continuous Attention Excellence and Better Design

The ability to give continuous attention to the development is a sign that the team is striving hard to satisfy the customers. It’s the ability to give the best to the owners.

10. The Maximizing of the Work Efficiency

Agility is about cutting the cost that does not lend value. Keeping the work simple rather than making it complicated with unnecessary things is a specialty of Agile.

11. Best Design, the Best Solution, and Architecture Emerged from Self-Organizing

The team that is cross-functional can be called a self-organizing team. These people are the best in the business; they will help the client to reach the goal with the best advice, with the best work, and with the best solution.

12. Regularly Meeting to Discuss the Team’s Improvement

This is a major part of the agile practicing team. Once the project is completed, a project review will happen. This will help the next client to approach in a different way. Another aspect will be after each scrum ends an event called RETROSPECTIVE will be kept to know what needs to be improved and what the team has learned about itself from this.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Agile Principles. Here we discussed the Concept, 12 Principles in Agile Methodology, Types of SDLC and what is Agile Model. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –

1. What is Agile Development Model?
2. Agile Programming | Software Development
3. What are the Functions of an Agile Sprint?
4. Difference between Agile and Scrum