Created: 09 November 2022

What Is Agile Methodology, and Why Use It? The Perks of Agile

This guide will give you everything you need to know about Agile Methodology, and the many benefits of implementing it in the workspace.

Does your business have a reason to use Agile methodology? If so, how would you even begin to calculate your ROI?

Software development often has a cycle of buzzwords that get people excited for a while and then disappear. Leaning into purchasing Agile online courses or workshops for your project managers may sound like a fad that will pass in time.

But what if you're missing out on an approach that could save on implementation costs and improve adoption? How much could that be worth compared to paying for someone to pass the Scaled Agile exam?

Discover the answer to these and other questions by reading to the end of this article!

Agile Methods

Agile project management gives a development team and end-users an iterative approach to new software. As opposed to delivering a product at the end of the process, this keeps everyone involved using sprints and daily scrums.

Additional value comes from the scalability of this methodology. A Scaled Agile Framework can develop enterprise-level workflows and implement these practices at all levels of your organization.

This benefit is especially true if you have a staff member with a Scaled Agile certification.

Scrum Methodology Defined

So, what is a scrum, and how does it differ from other types of project strategies? You've probably heard this term before, but it can feel vague unless you understand the method.

Scrums involve a team of ten members or less that work on development goals separated into sprints. A sprint typically lasts around two weeks, and it can get repeated as often as necessary.

The process starts with a fifteen-minute stand-up meeting or "daily scrum." During this time, the team shares their progress and adjusts goals based on the circumstances. This effort continues to ensure constant improvement of the product.

Agile Cycle

Whether your team referred to it in the past or not, most people have become familiar with a waterfall methodology. As opposed to planning to go back if needed, the process moves a straight line.

An Agile project consists of the following steps, and they get repeated as much as necessary before deploying the software. This fact is among the five things you should know, especially while considering a Scaled Agile Framework.

Plan

The development team and users complete what's known as requirements gathering during this stage. As a result of this collaboration, problems become defined as well as potential solutions.

Design

Lead developers and others begin working up their plans for the software at this point. This process can happen by creating the architectural design or visual designs for the application.

Develop

Now that the technical wizards understand what to build and why the code writing can begin. In other words, developers convert the design documentation into reality during this phase.

Test

Depending on a company structure, the new software finds its way into the hands of a quality assurance team. This process can often involve the people who will use this solution the most. The more experience someone has with the problem, the more they can contribute to the solution.

Review

This collaborative step represents a critical crossroads in the cycle. To put it simply, everyone meets to report their findings from the test phase. If the confidence doesn't exist to take the solution live, then it's time for another scrum to improve the product.

Repeat (or Deploy)

Whether the software goes out to customers or employees, this is where the rubber hits the road.

Your deployment team will unleash the solution and support the product. To keep the positive momentum going, you may consider using Agile consultancy services.

Perks of Using Agile Methodology

Now that you have an understanding of how Agile works, it's time to consider the benefits. Leaders around the world have recognized the following types of advantages:

1. Customer Engagement

Account managers or executives often focus a client's attention on creating solutions. When a client can engage from beginning to end, that keeps their focus in a positive direction.

2. Product Feedback

Previous methodologies tend to involve a customer at the beginning and end of the development cycle. Without proper feedback in the middle, it can feel like a buggy mess has landed out of nowhere.

3. Flexibility

Agile offers a much more encouraging and confidence-building way to develop software. When you build flexibility into the plan, it's easier to accept flaws that can roll into positive changes.

4. Higher Customer Satisfaction

A development team that has to play a game of whack-a-mole cannot focus on the most critical element: your customers.

When you adopt Agile methodologies, priorities shift into focus, and you can release new products to the market much faster. With the bonus of customers feeling engaged in the process, it's hard to imagine how any application succeeded in the past.

5. Improve Your ROI

It takes a tremendous amount of confidence to assume that a waterfall approach can work for everything.

Dropping a new solution or product without constant feedback today can result in epic disasters. Faster releases and better engagement with your customers can only help improve the bottom line.

6. Improve the Quality of Your Product

Whether you sell products, create them, or provide services, Agile can offer improvements. When your deliverable has a feedback loop, you have more control over the quality. Additionally, you can manage expectations with much more precision.

Are You Wondering How to Use Agile Methodology?
Businesses, non-profits, and governments use Agile methodology every day, and adoption continues to grow at a rapid pace each year. But what can Scaled Agile courses or hiring consultants do for you specifically?

Get in touch with us today!