I started writing this article with an approach of presenting the benefits of the Agile Methodology For Startups. But while researching about Agile I learnt that there are several myths about agile. Startups, small businesses and even the entrepreneurs are misunderstanding the term “AGILE”.
The most searched term related to Agile on Google is “Agile software development company”. People believe that agile is a methodology used for software development. So I decided to write a deep article about what agile is and how it is beneficial for startups.
Agile is a broad term which is described uniquely by different perspectives. Especially by the people who are trying to sell anything. If asked to a paper products manufacturer what is Agile they will tell you that Agile is writing the customer’s requirements on the sticky notes that are manufactured by them only. While, if you ask the same thing to a maker of orthopedic shoes, the answer would probably be it’s when people stand up a talk, making the shoe and the wearer more “agile”.
Likewise, different people have different definitions of Agile as per their point of view. This creates a lot of confusion.
YOU HAVE ALREADY READ A LOT OF ARTICLES ABOUT WHAT IS AGILE. SO NOW, I WANT YOU TO FOCUS ON WHAT AGILE IS NOT:
Let’s look at what Agile is: Agile Is A Set Of Values And Principles.
Most of the discussions around Agile involve a lot of discussions, and practices using various methodologies and developing specific tools for the decisions and process. Agile doesn’t make decisions for the team, but it gives you a foundation that the team can use to adopt a better software development process.
So the best definition of Agile can be; Agile is a set of beliefs that can be used by the teams to make the decisions about how to do the work of developing a software.
According to Agile manifesto, a team can develop software better by giving more values to some factors as compared to the others. But what are the factors that require more attention? Below table has covered it all:
Factors that requires high value
Factors that require less value
Agile Software Development Cycle
Peep Into 5 Steps of Agile Development
Prerequisite Analysis
This is EQUIVALENT to looking into and conceptualizing what the project requires. For example architecture discussions, general features, general product discovery and workflow discussions.
Design Document and Prototype
This is the SOW (Statement of work), which will have every one of the necessities characterized for the project.
Iterations, Demo and Feedback
During the development, cycles are expected to test the code and also get input from the client in advance. Input from the client can include mockups, front-end outlines, and usability.
Recognize defects and Resolve Bugs
Bugs and defects are fixed elements in the software development process. It is essential that there are great Quality Assurance benchmarks to take out general issues.
Development and Technical Support
The project application is at last deployed and live. When this happens, a support plan should be set up for maintenance and general support on potential future issues.
Why Agile Project Management Is The Best For Startups
Every huge enterprise today was a startup once; they haven’t done anything different than any other startup. But what they did was; they changed the culture of their organization. They have changed the way of working, they have opted the Agile practices for Startups. Following are some of the steps to opt for better business culture with Agile:
The best way to utilize the best output from Agile is to adopt best Agile practices.
Best tools for agile software development
Companies that follow agile principles and values require some tools to manage the teams working on the project. The selection of tool depends on the type of project and size of the team. Check out some of the best tools for agile software development:
Agile development practices
For a company to implement Agile principles and values it is necessary to think what practices to implement instead of why to practice Agile development and practices. With time it is necessary to change the Agile practices and refine the processes.
At the beginning, you might believe that Agile scrum methodology is better later you may find that Kanban Agile methodology is much suitable for delivering values to the customers. Look out for practices that support your Agile practices and values.
Some of the best Agile practices are:
1. Track progress daily and openly.
2. Enhance migration to Agile concepts using Agile terms and examples.
3. Continuously improve Agile adoption at project and organization levels.
4. Look to identify and address impediments at the organization and project levels.
5. Get stakeholder/customer feedback often.
6. Empower small, cross-functional teams.
7. Include requirements related to security and progress monitoring in your queue of unfinished work.
8. Gain trust by showing value at the end of each iteration.
9. Use tools and metrics to track progress.
Introducing a unique approach for Startups: LEAN
The lean startup method is not about cost, it is about speed. – Eric Ries
Let’s consider a scenario, your developers have spent months to develop a perfect software or service. Later learns that the customer isn’t interested in some of the features or even the entire project.
This problem can be resolved with the LEAN approach. The Lean startup methodology project is introduced by Eric Ries to develop companies and launch their products faster with a more inline approach with the customer’s needs.
The Lean startup project introduces a Minimum Viable Product for startups (MVP) or a version of the same project that has the features that the customer wants. The company can use the MVP for Startups approach to learn the exact requirements of the customer.
The full stack developers around the world are following the Lean startup methodology for software development. The feedback from the customer is asked at the early stage to decide whether it is ok to continue building the project or a little tweak is required or the whole project is needed to be pivoted.
The lean startup project shortens product development cycles and builds projects as per the client’s needs.
The Basic Lean Cycle Looks Like:
Comparing LEAN and Agile
| LAMP | MEAN |
|---|---|
| Obsessed with waste | Obsessed with users |
| Delivers values | Delivers working products |
| Customer validation | Customer feedback |
| Hypothesis | User Story |
| Manages process | Manages Uncertainity |
DevOps with Agile methodology can transform businesses
DevOps integrates the developers and the operations teams to improve the collaboration and productivity by automating the infrastructure, workflows and constant measure of application performance.
Agile provides this environment to DevOps, in an organization which follows agile principles the teams working on a project will discuss together the process of software development and hence the best DevOps practices will be performed.
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Our Approach Towards Agile Methodology
It’s been around more than 7 years that we are implementing Agile principles and values in all the teams of the organization.
These four major facts we keep in kind while doing our 15 mins daily standup meetings.
Wrapping up, our team makes decisions based on agile principles and values. Our decision-making process makes us Agile has to lead us to the successful delivery of more than 700 projects. So if you are looking for an agile software development company then hires us.
Having a doubt about any technology? Let’s Connect & Grow together. We have proficient Full Stack and Mean Stack Developers that will resolve all your queries.
