Over time, enterprise software development has changed considerably. This has led to a concept that has significantly revolutionized how software is developed: agile software development. Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about it.
What is agile software development?
What is currently known as agile software development refers to a set of collaborative methods and practices with the ultimate goal of producing software code much more efficiently and much faster. It has been implemented especially in the area of enterprise software development.
In other words, agile software development refers to development with an iterative approach. In this approach, teams are responsible for reviewing, inspecting, and continuously adapting their development techniques. This is done to create applications that perfectly meet the specific needs of each business through customized software, in a faster and more flexible way.
What are the methods and services for agile software development?
Today, the methods involved in agile development are varied. The most important are:
- Working under a leadership philosophy that fosters teamwork, responsibility towards others, and the ability to self-organize.
- The disciplined and personalized management of each project individually.
- The business approach that is able to align customer needs with the needs and objectives of the company.
- Development under good engineering practices that allow for the rapid and efficient development of very high quality software.
The birth of agile software development
To understand the origin of this software development methodology for companies, it is necessary to go back to 2001. At that time, a group of developers consisting of a total of 17 people created a series of lighter techniques in response to what they understood as heavier methods associated with waterfall development.
In 2001, these developers decided to meet in Utah to discuss the lightest possible software development methods. Following this meeting, the Agile Software Development Manifesto was published. In it, they outlined a set of values aimed at developing software in a flexible and iterative way.
In one passage, the Manifesto states:
“We are discovering better ways to develop
software both through our own experience and by
helping others. Through this work we have
learned to value:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan
That is, although we value the elements on the right,
we value those on the left more.
Another important aspect to highlight is that the values of this type of development are centered, from the outset, on self-empowerment, collaboration, the creation of operational solutions, and responsiveness, among other things. In this regard, a manifesto was created with a total of 12 principles, ranging from continuous development to reflective processes within teams.
The principles of agile software development
Taking into account the above, we are interested in citing the principles that support this type of development and that were established by the aforementioned developers:
“Satisfy the customer by delivering valuable software early and continuously.
Welcome changing requirements, even late in development.
Deliver software work as frequently and in the shortest possible time.
Businesspeople and developers must work together throughout the project.
Build projects around motivated people.
The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within the development team is face-to-face conversation.
The primary measure of progress is working software.
Agile processes promote sustainable development.
Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design increases agility.
Simplicity—the art of maximizing the amount of work not done—is essential.
The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then fine-tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.”
Agile software development and digital transformation
We’ve already seen what agile development is and how it was established. But now, we need to look at its role in digital transformation and how software development services relate to the new global context of digitalization.
In this sense, we can affirm that digital transformation has become one of the core principles of all companies and organizations. This goes hand in hand with new business models that aim to create new conditions by understanding technology as an integral part of the leadership of today’s organizations.
Just as more traditional companies have long faced the challenges brought about by new startups, companies that have incorporated various changes also face the need to generate new forms of software development tailored to their needs, the needs of their clients, and the times we live in.
At Coodigos, we are software developers in Colombia. We research the market, analyze, implement, and evaluate our processes to deliver innovative results using various programming languages and methodologies. We are one of the leading software development companies. Visit our website to learn more.