Agile methodology is a set of practices designed to enable teams to quickly adapt to changes during the development process. It allows teams to respond to client and stakeholder feedback, continuously improving the product throughout its lifecycle.
Agile is guided by four fundamental values:
People over processes and tools – Effective collaboration matters more than rigid processes.
Working software over comprehensive documentation – Delivering a functional product is the priority.
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation – Engaging with clients ensures a more relevant and effective product.
Responding to change over following a plan – Adaptability is key to successful development.
Agile methodology follows these core principles:
Work is divided into short cycles (iterations), ensuring a phased approach.
At the end of each iteration, the client receives a minimally viable product (MVP) or an updated version of the software.
Continuous collaboration between the team and the client is encouraged.
Changes are welcomed and integrated swiftly into the process.
Agile is more of a philosophy than a strict rulebook, and different frameworks can be used based on project needs. The two most widely used frameworks are Scrum and Kanban.
Scrum focuses on structured, iterative development with continuous collaboration among the development team (Delivery Team), the Product Owner, and the Scrum Master.
Key aspects include:
Work is divided into sprints lasting 1-3 weeks.
The team defines the sprint backlog (task list) at the start of each sprint.
At the end of each sprint, a functional product or feature is demonstrated to the client.
A retrospective meeting follows each sprint to assess successes, challenges, and improvements.
Each phase builds upon the previous one until all functionalities are fully implemented.
Best suited for large-scale projects that require structured collaboration.
Kanban is designed to optimize workflow by breaking large tasks into manageable operations, focusing on efficiency.
Key principles include:
Visualization – A Kanban board displays workflow stages (e.g., "To Do," "In Progress," "Done").
Task prioritization – Clear objectives streamline execution.
Work-in-progress limits – Identifying bottlenecks helps allocate resources more efficiently.
Continuous flow – Unlike Scrum, tasks can be assigned daily rather than following fixed iterations.
Ideal for teams needing flexibility and continuous delivery.
Iteration length – Scrum operates on fixed-length sprints (around two weeks), while Kanban tasks can be assigned and completed continuously.
Goal orientation – In Scrum, teams aim to complete a sprint, while in Kanban, the focus is on continuous task completion.
Workload management – Scrum follows predefined sprint tasks, whereas Kanban allows for real-time task adjustments.
Agile methodology, through frameworks like Scrum and Kanban, enables teams to develop products efficiently while maintaining flexibility. Choosing the right framework depends on project size, complexity, and required adaptability. By implementing Agile, teams enhance collaboration, improve product quality, and respond to market changes effectively.