Why Is Agile More Relevant In 2021?
Formulated in 2001 by a group of developers, Agile Methodology is a popular engagement model where effective communication and collaboration are made the core of the processes that are to be followed. In this type of a paradigm, the development process is flexible and responsible allowing room for changes. What makes the model appealing to both developers and companies looking to partner with them, is that the focus is on human behavior and building up the optimum digital product through collaborative effort rather than adhering strictly to the documentation, i.e, Agile centres more on the value derived from the effort than play strictly by the rulebook. The adaptability factor that Agile offers helps developers to concentrate on experimenting and innovating instead of following a rigid plan.
The pandemic brought with it an unprecedented crisis as business processes had to change their business processes. Agile with its flexibility factor was already adapted to handle the obstacles that came with remote working as it was already a high process focused on problem solving through constant reflection which is communicated effectively to other team members. While the experience of holding scrum meetings via digital mediums is nothing like the traditional method, agile teams using recalibrated methods and harnessing the internet to its best can be the secret weapon that drives a business forward, even during these turbulent times. Let's see the relevance of the Agile model in 2021 and the the advantages it has in the post-pandemic world:
Clients Are On The Same Page As The Developers
Collaborative client-partner relationships as the foundation of what the Agile model was built on and this method has been perfected over time and has proven to be instrumental in keeping the stakeholders engaged which guarantees that the requirements are effectively communicated to the developers and miscommunication does not occur. In an Agile model, the development phase is typically split into multiple sprints along with constant communication between the client and the company. This provides a massive bonus to the company as it ensures that the development team is on the same page as the client and each requirement is suitably broken down into tasks which are handled individually to guarantee maximum efficiency. Another pro that Agile offers to ensure that the collaboration is successful, is that feedback is entertained through constant communication. The 21st century is extremely fast paced and using the Agile model helps to rectify problems as and when they occur through the constant reflection that is part of the process, preventing the hassle of having to go back at a later time to make modifications.
The Development Phase Is Transparent
While transparency has always been considered to be of importance in business decisions, it has more of a role to play in today’s commercial atmosphere due to the flux of information which was not prevalent just a few years ago; dissemination and analysation of this data is critical for any venture’s success. Choosing Agile methodology as the appropriate engagement model for a project is an enticing prospect for stakeholders as it allows for maximum transparency during the development phase. When following an agile model to engage with your partner, each stakeholder is constantly kept updated of the latest advancements which allows for each member to see the work as it is in progress, making way for any refinements if necessary. The relevance of agile in today’s development atmosphere also extends to the fact that the various sprints and milestones are planned while ensuring that there is a status quo between both parties, as each sprint is extensively discussed during the many meetings with mutual understanding and knowledge about the progress of the product. The sense of involvement that Agile offers to a business when going into business with a development company guarantees a great corroborative experience during the venture.
An Efficient Way to Plan Your Projects
As mentioned earlier, the various milestones to be achieved during the project are split into various sprints; this method of setting fixed timelines for each task ensures that the development phase is streamlined and well-managed. This manner of splitting and scheduling sprints allows for a lot of predictability of receiving deliverables on time as well as offering flexibility for setting deadlines. Another factor that makes this method beneficial for stakeholders is that the elasticity that comes with project planning offers another huge pro, where they have the approximate knowledge of the cost that goes into each sprint, based on which they can prudently plan finances for the project. It is also easy to determine what features have maximum marketing potential, as the finished product is delivered at a beta stage based on which the project can be moulded better by keeping just the required features and rejecting the rest. This method of prioritizing and managing tasks is especially useful for accelerated software development which is a priority in today's ever changing development atmosphere.
Allows For Flexibility During The Run
While most engagement models focus on a single fixed goal, Agile methodology differs from these by offering flexibility as the project is split into multiple sprints. During the run of a venture based on Agile, the team’s focal point is on the current sprint, which means that later sprints can be refined and modified based on the results on the ongoing one. The developers also communicate with the stakeholders on a regular basis about the progress on the app and the most suitable way to prioritise and add features when going ahead. The constant reflection that is the essence of this methodology oversees that the product is checked at regular intervals to detect any possible fall-backs, making rectification at the early stage possible while also aligning the product with the varying technological trends in the market It is not uncommon for an application’s initial requirements to vary, especially when tech stacks are constantly reinventing themselves, this method of constant communication employed by Agile helps developers to manage changing priorities and improve the overall development process.
Conclusion
The digital world is continuously evolving and revolutionising itself with new technologies rolling into the market every coming day. Previous engagement models focused on an approach where a product was considerably successful based on its ability to meet deadlines. However, Agile focuses on executing multiple sprints with constant checks and refinements to ensure true quality. To build an application that is relevant in today’s age, it is important to focus on a plan that is dynamic. Agile methodology with its added benefit of offering flexibility offers just this advantage to the development process, since the end-goal is to produce a great digital solution through constant research and several development iterations.