Agile methodology is a mystery to many people. Even those who work in an agile environment sometimes do not understand what it is. In this post the goal is to break down Agile into a very short, digestible explanation.
The Basics
Agile is an approach to project management and software development that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. It aims to deliver value quickly and adapt to changing requirements and circumstances. While it was conceived and is primarily used for software development, it can be used to build any complex product.
The Agile Manifesto
The Manifesto for Agile Software Development provides the guiding principles for implementing an agile approach:
We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others to do it. Through this work we have come to value:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
While there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.
A Simple Example
Imagine you're building a house. Instead of creating a detailed blueprint upfront and sticking to it no matter what, Agile takes a more flexible and iterative approach. You start with a very basic plan or blueprint but focus on building and delivering small parts of the house in frequent increments. You might build one livable room in the house such as a bedroom or kitchen because it represents a fully featured and deliverable product that can be used immediately. This is your Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
You gather a team of workers, like architects, builders, and interior designers, who collaborate closely throughout the process. Rather than waiting until the end of construction of the entire house to see the final result, you involve the homeowner early on, asking for their feedback, using it to improve the ongoing work.
The team divides the project into short time periods called iterations or sprints that are typically 2-4 weeks long. During each iteration, they prioritize the most valuable features or components to develop and complete. At the end of each iteration, they showcase their progress to the customer and gather feedback.
This iterative approach allows for flexibility and adaptation. If new requirements or changes emerge, the team can adjust their plans and pivot accordingly. They continuously reflect on their work through regular meetings, called retrospectives, that allow them to look backwards and identify what went well and what can be improved.
Summary
Agile promotes collaboration, communication, and transparency. It encourages frequent communication among team members and with the customer, allowing for faster decision-making and a better understanding of the customer's needs.
By delivering incremental value in short cycles, Agile enables the customer to see tangible progress and provide feedback early. It also allows the team to identify and address potential issues sooner, reducing risks and increasing the likelihood of success.
Overall, Agile is about embracing change, fostering collaboration, and delivering value to the customer in short iterations. It promotes a flexible and adaptive mindset, where continuous improvement and customer satisfaction are key.
