If you’re looking for a way to develop software more quickly and efficiently, you might want to consider adapting the agile methodology. Agile methodology is a project management approach that emphasizes iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing cross-functional teams. Today, our experts have developed an in-depth guide to the agile software development lifecycle, including who makes up an agile software team, what it means to be an agile software development company, and an introduction to Integrant’s very own agile development assessment.

Let’s get started. 

Agile Methodology

The agile methodology is a project management approach that emphasizes iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing cross-functional teams.

The agile methodology is based on the following values and principles:

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
• Working software over comprehensive documentation.
• Customer and stakeholder collaboration.
• Responding to change as it arises. 

An agile company has adopted the agile methodology as its core operating principle. This means that the company is constantly evolving and adapting to change and is focused on delivering value to its customers as quickly as possible.

Agile companies are typically characterized by the following:

• An emphasis on customer collaboration: Agile companies are constantly gathering feedback from their customers to ensure they meet their needs.
• Commitment to continuous improvement: They are always looking for ways to improve their processes and products.
• A culture of empowerment: They empower their employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work. 

When to Use Automation Testing

There are many benefits to using the agile methodology, including:

• Increased customer satisfaction: Agile companies can deliver value to their customers more quickly and efficiently, which leads to increased customer satisfaction.
• Improved productivity: These companies can reduce waste and inefficiency, which leads to improved productivity.
• Increased employee engagement: They create a more rewarding and stimulating work environment, increasing employee engagement. 

The Stages of the Agile Software Development Lifecycle

Initiation

The initiation stage is where the project is first defined and the team is assembled. The goals of the project are clarified, and the scope of the project is defined. In this stage, the team also identifies the stakeholders who will be involved in the project and develop a communication plan for keeping the stakeholders informed of the project's progress.

Planning

In the planning stage, the team creates a detailed plan for how the project will be executed. This includes identifying the tasks that need to be completed, estimating the time and resources needed for each task, and creating a schedule for the project. The team also identifies the risks associated with the project and develops a plan for mitigating those risks.

Development

This is the stage where the actual software development takes place. The team works in short cycles or sprints of development, where they deliver working software to the customer at the end of each cycle. The customer is involved in the development process at each cycle and provides feedback on the software. This feedback is used to improve the software before it is released.

Testing

The software is tested to ensure that it meets the requirements and that it is free of defects. The testing process typically includes unit testing, integration testing, and system testing. Unit testing is performed by the developers to test individual units of code. Integration testing is performed to test how different units of code interact with each other. System testing is performed to test the entire system to ensure that it meets the requirements.

Deployment

This is the stage where the software is released to the customer. The software is deployed to the production environment, and the customer is able to start using it. The team also provides support to the customer to help them get started with the software.

Maintenance

This is the stage where the software is maintained and updated after it has been released. The team fixes defects that are found in the software and adds new features to the software as needed. The team also monitors the software to ensure that it is performing as expected. 

How Agile Influences the Stages

The agile SDLC is different from traditional SDLCs in a number of ways. One of the most important differences is that the agile SDLC emphasizes iterative and incremental development. This means that the software is developed in small cycles or sprints and that the customer is involved in the process at each cycle. This allows the customer to provide early and frequent feedback on the software, helping to ensure that the software meets their needs.

Another important difference between agile SDLC and traditional SDLCs is that agile SDLC is more flexible. This means that the team can adapt the plan as needed if the requirements change or if new information becomes available. This flexibility is one of the strengths of the agile SDLC, as it allows the team to respond quickly to change. 

The Players of Agile Software Development

Agile software development teams are typically composed of a number of different roles, each with its own specific responsibilities.

The most common roles in an agile software development team include:

• Product Owner: The product owner is responsible for representing the voice of the customer and ensuring that the team is building the right product. They are responsible for gathering requirements, prioritizing the backlog, and communicating with stakeholders.
• Scrum Master: The scrum master is responsible for facilitating the agile process and ensuring that the team is working effectively. They are responsible for removing impediments, coaching the team, and helping the team to self-organize.
• Developers: The developers are responsible for actually building the software. They are responsible for writing code, testing code, and deploying code.
• QA Engineer: The QA engineer is responsible for ensuring that the software is free of defects. They are responsible for writing test cases, executing test cases, and reporting defects.
• UX/UI Designer: The UX/UI designer is responsible for designing the user experience and user interface of the software. They are responsible for creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes.
• Business Analyst: The business analyst is responsible for understanding the business requirements and translating those requirements into technical specifications. They are responsible for gathering requirements, documenting requirements, and validating requirements.

These are just some of the most common roles in an agile software development team. The specific roles that are needed will vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. 

Integrant's Agile Development Assessment

One of our scrum masters has developed an Agile assessment process that divides a survey into individual areas of assessment, followed by survey-style questions for each area. Each area being assessed serves a unique and critical role in creating a successful outcome for each software project we work on.

The frequency of these assessments depends on the unique timeline and status of each project. Each project will always receive a baseline assessment at the start of the project timeline to provide a point of comparison for subsequent assessments. It is important to complete these assessments more than once to better track the health of Agile projects.

Here are the specific areas that we assess:

• Teamwork
• Requirements
• Planning
• Technical Practices
• Quality
• Culture
• Inspection/ Adaptation

By assessing these areas, we can identify areas where we need to improve and make sure that our Agile projects are successful. Learn more about our agile development assessment by clicking here. 

Wrap Up

Agile methodology is a powerful tool that can help teams to develop software more effectively. The agile SDLC is iterative, incremental, and flexible, which allows teams to adapt to change and deliver value to the customer quickly.

An agile software development company is one that is constantly evolving and adapting to change and is focused on delivering value to its customers as quickly as possible.

The roles of an agile software development team typically include the product owner, the scrum master, the developers, the QA engineer, the UX/UI designer, and the business analyst. Each of these roles plays a critical role in the success of the team.

An agile development assessment is a tool that can be used to evaluate the health of an agile project. By assessing these areas, teams can identify areas where they need to improve and make sure that their agile projects are successful.

If you’re ready to get started with your own agile software development project, set up your free consultation with an Integrant expert today!