Unlike other forms of app development, agile is a method rather than a tool. It’s a way to build software over time instead of simply creating a single product over a traditional timeline. Because software is developed incrementally, there is a lot of flexibility in making changes and building a stronger effect.
Over the past few years, agile has become the most popular framework for building app startups and development agencies. It helps companies focus on the app’s quality without compromising efficiency. There’s always a risk when creating a new app, but with agile, that risk is minimized since there is more room for testing and review before launch. This guide will discuss how the agile methodology works and why it’s the best way to speed up development.
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Agile Manifesto, agile is a set of methods and practices based on values like collaboration, self-organization, and cross-functional teams. To utilize this type of development, agile usually uses a framework known as Scrum. Agile is not a new idea. It’s based on techniques first used in Japan in the 1970s and 1980s with car manufacturers like Honda and Toyota.
Since then, it’s evolved into the world of app development. The Scrum framework basics all start with the Product Owner, who is essentially the person in charge of the final decisions, and the Backlog, a list of needed tasks. This Backlog is prioritized based on what’s needed most.
Think of the Product Owner as the top of the food chain. After the Product Owner comes up with a prioritized list, it’s time for the part of the framework known as the Sprint. This is a preset timeframe in which the entire team will complete sets of these tasks decided on before in the Backlog. The time spent in the Sprint can change depending on what’s needed, but it’s usually around two weeks.
During the Sprint, teams will meet daily to give a status update. These are known as Daily Scrum or Daily Stand-Ups. At the end of the Sprint, there’s a Retrospective where everyone in the team reviews their work and talks about improving for next time.
This is the entire framework in a nutshell. The Sprints are then repeated for the next set of tasks on the list until a project is complete. You can see how this is more efficient and accurate than the traditional method of doing the entire project at once. Teams can work together and review before moving forward, which will help prevent problems and create a stronger product.
YouTube Video: Intro To Scrum
Benefits of Agile
Now that you understand the framework, it’s time to discuss why you should use Agile for faster app development. Besides being organized and easy to follow, agile requires no formal tools or training. The basics are easy to understand and can be adapted to almost any team. Still not convinced? Let’s break down the benefits as they apply to app development.
Quality Product
In the world of startups and apps, a strong product is crucial. While the software is usually always tested before launch, errors still happen. In this competitive market, mistakes can scare away consumers and damage a company’s reputation for good. It’s more vital than ever to test continuously and catch bugs before they grow. With agile, testing and review are built into the framework.
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Faster Market Launch
With so much competition comes growing demands for products. If a company cannot quickly release new software, it will never meet consumers’ unique wants and needs. The Sprints built into agile help teams learn to create new products without compromising on quality rapidly. A faster time to market leads to more customer satisfaction and more revenue.
Save Money
Startups run on lean budgets. Because agile is proven to save both time and money, it’s smarter to create more products quickly. Scrum is based on smart actions, so knowing where to spend the most time shows where to spend the most money and where to hold back.
Lowered Risks
When developers work on entire software simultaneously, there’s a lot of room for error. Working on small tasks at a time leads to lessened risks over time. It’s much easier to respond to changes when they’re minor than when they affect the entire project. When used in conjunction with tools like AppOptics’ application performance monitoring, it becomes a stable, risk-free endeavor.
Teamwork
Traditional methods don’t promote teamwork throughout the entire process. With Agile, it’s all about collaboration between different teams. Team members will no longer work in isolation; everyone will work together to achieve the same goals. This means more brainstorming sessions, conversations, and reviews to strengthen everyone’s skills and feelings of togetherness as an organization.
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