Interfaces to customers are becoming digital and software forms the most important basis for an optimal user experience. This makes agile methods increasingly important.
What is agile software development?
Several factors and values converge in agile software development. These include cooperation with the customers as well as rapid development and provision of functional software. The entire process should be designed to be as transparent and flexible as possible, with little bureaucratic effort. Today, agile software development already counts as one of the most used development types.
In an agile approach, developers do without the precise planning of a final result. Instead, the development takes place in close exchange with the team. It is accompanied by alternating, short planning and development phases. The agile method is particularly promising for more complex tasks: the requirements and possibilities of the software can be adapted at any time.
Agile methods break with rigid patterns
In contrast to the classic waterfall method, agile software development entails flexible thinking and less straightforward processes. Software projects are no longer organised in a linear way; rather, they are guided by certain guiding principles:
The requirements for the software are limited to the essentials instead of details
The development process is iterative-incremental
Documentation only takes place as required
Adaptations to the software are planned and implemented flexibly
Communication with the customer and within the team is very important.
The focus is more on executable interim results, instead of only on the final result.
Releases are made on a small scale throughout the process
If the guiding principles are taken into account, classic problems of software development are circumvented with an agile approach. In this way, results become visible more quickly and can be optimised in the shortest possible time.
The advantages of agile software development
In the classic waterfall method, a project is divided into successive phases. If a problem occurs in one phase, it is only possible to return the project to the previous phase. So, from the beginning, product requirements and the desired deliverables must be clarified in detail. It is difficult for the developers to react to changes during software development, for example if the customer realises that certain functions are not necessary or important after all.
In the case of new software developments, however, clear ideas about what exactly the software is supposed to do often only emerge during the course of development. This is not a problem with an agile approach, because changes can be implemented easily. During the process, small releases are also published again and again to test the software in practice.
Corporate culture as a success factor
Agile software development is successful when an organisation agrees on some important criteria regarding its own corporate culture. These include factors such as:
an open feedback culture
the networking of processes across departments
a flexible management style
room for innovative ideas and suggestions
agile thinking
Such a culture must be lived "top-down". This means that the executive board and management must embody the defined values themselves and pass them on to their employees. This is the only way they can empower them to solve problems themselves and drive innovation. Through constructive feedback and direct communication, management paves the way for agile software development.
Full-service IT providers specialise in highly efficient and customised software solutions. Close cooperation and the agile approach combined with the team's expertise enable custom-fit systems that advance companies in their development.
Agile software development brings competitive advantages
Software development is becoming increasingly necessary for organisations and companies to compete in the digital transformation. Software development offers several advantages over the classic method due to the flexible approach: software is more closely aligned with the needs and wishes of the customers and this in a shorter time. Those who rely on agile projects as success factors can react quickly and dynamically to changes in the market.
