What is Agile? In
Agile SDLC model is a
combination of iterative and incremental process models with focus on process
adaptability and customer satisfaction by rapid delivery of working software
product.
Agile Methods break
the product into small incremental builds. These builds are provided in
iterations. Each iteration typically lasts from about one to three weeks. Every
iteration involves cross functional teams working simultaneously on various
areas like planning, requirements analysis, design, coding, unit testing, and
acceptance testing.
At the end of the
iteration a working product is displayed to the customer and important
stakeholders.
What is Agile?
Agile model believes
that every project needs to be handled differently and the existing methods
need to be tailored to best suit the project requirements. In agile the tasks
are divided to time boxes (small time frames) to deliver specific features for
a release.
Iterative approach is
taken and working software build is delivered after each iteration. Each build
is incremental in terms of features; the final build holds all the features
required by the customer.
Here is a graphical
illustration of the Agile Model:
Agile thought process
had started early in the software development and started becoming popular with
time due to its flexibility and adaptability.
The most popular
agile methods include Rational Unified Process (1994), Scrum (1995), Crystal
Clear, Extreme Programming (1996), Adaptive Software Development, Feature
Driven Development, and Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) (1995). These
are now collectively referred to as agile methodologies, after the Agile
Manifesto was published in 2001.
Following are the
Agile Manifesto principles
·
Individuals and interactions - in agile
development, self-organization and motivation are important, as are
interactions like co-location and pair programming.
·
Working software - Demo working software is
considered the best means of communication with the customer to understand
their requirement, instead of just depending on documentation.
·
Customer collaboration - As the requirements
cannot be gathered completely in the beginning of the project due to various
factors, continuous customer interaction is very important to get proper
product requirements.
·
Responding to change - agile
development is focused on quick responses to change and continuous development.
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