Agile Development: The Growing Trend In Software Design
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You know what's changed the most during the last few decades of computing technology? It is not the elimination of ponderous, dinosaur-head cathode ray monitors, or moving from house-sized processors to ones that fit in the palm of your hand.
Software designers have changed the most.
The creative element of software design has made developers
Less programmed and more self-developed?
In the early 90's, software engineers were stern, high priests of facts, wielding high-tech bibles of well-documented de-bugging reports. Computing and everyday business remained worlds apart. Creativity was the embarrassing love child of science and art.
Now, software development stresses its creative side as having equal importance to the very necessary technical side. And software design is more creatively oriented as a result. No doubt this revolutionary computing culture is because of the Agile Manifesto.
The manifesto, simply referred to as Agile, is a methodology & philosophy developed in 2001 to overcome the limitations of the traditional "waterfall" process of software design. Since its conception, Agile has dramatically increased computing value for clients by emphasizing flexible and goal-oriented, rather than rigidly planned, software development.
Agile also serves those designing software, becoming the driving force behind innovation and creative solutions. Developers no longer merely tell you what will be done and when; they become a partner throughout your software design project and beyond.
While everyone has a slightly different perspective on the benefits of Agile, all roads lead to Rome. Here are the core values:
Individuals and Interactions Over Processes and Tools
Processes and tools are the foundations of software development. However, if the individuals purchasing the software are not interactive with its design, the technology loses value for all involved. Now the client is part of the design from start to completion of the project making for an optimal outcome and better fulfillment of goals.
Working Software Over Comprehensive Documentation
You have had a web browser crash, yes? And then, shortly after, a pop- up appears, worded as to show great concern over the failure and describing how it would like to report (document) the issue.
In spite of all this report generation has another pop-up ever appeared to provide a solution? Probably not, but a lot of reports were created in this convergent way of doing things. Yet, no matter how well-documented a problem, a problem it remains. Agility is divergent. Documentation is not written and shelved; it is used to solve the problem.
Customer Collaboration Over Contract Negotiation
There is no doubt contract negotiation serves the interests of both developer and purchaser. With Agile, contract negotiations are not eliminated but shifted from the beginning of a project and, with the client’s participation, developed along with the project throughout its various stages.
Responding to Change Over Following a Plan
Companies traditionally associate deviating from a plan as equal to wasted time and unnecessary expense. Plan changes were avoided even if the plan had taken a turn for the worse. Agility considers changing plans a sign of improvements to the design. Not to say plans must change to be Agile, but the ability to change is inherent to Agility.
There are also 12 attendant principles to Agile software design born from the four core values which have become an integrated part of today’s innovative software development. You can click here and here to learn more.
And, Agile is not just limited to the realms of software design. Many organizations are adopting the manifesto as part of their daily business model.
If you are seeking a partner that embraces Agile software design, contact the Intellection Group. Or call 678-283-4283 for help with all your IT outsourcing needs.