It’s usually a big, exciting day when your new website launches. The process of getting there may not be as exciting, but it’s crucial for making that launch day a success. In the past, the most common method for developing software was the waterfall model: clients listed each requirement and every functionality. Then the whole workflow model was finalized before the development process even started. Once the development was underway, the client only got to see the final product with little to no change taking place during the development cycle. Only after the client received the final product could changes be made. Any changes were costly and time-consuming, frustrating both the client and the developer.
Agile software development takes a very different approach. With agile, the project is divided into smaller, bite-sized chunks. Each of these smaller parts has set delivery dates and times, with the client being able to provide feedback at any point as the project progresses.
Unlike waterfall models, agile methodologies provide an iterative approach to the design and development of software. The technique is uniquely able to embrace the constant change that takes place in the development cycle. This in turn allows teams to deliver working software quickly and frequently by breaking down test periods, complicated requirements, and development tasklists into smaller segments.
Agile Development is Customer-Oriented
Agile development allows custom software developers to make changes to a project based on client needs before actually releasing the final version. By working with our clients through the course of the development cycle, we are better able to meet their needs and wants. In addition, while some alterations can be small, in other instances a client may need significant changes. In this case, waiting until the product is complete and delivered can be a very expensive option.
Agile Removes Decision Paralysis and Minimizes Complexity
In the waterfall model, decision paralysis manifests itself in long phases of data modeling, program designing, requirement gathering, and project planning. All these steps can run the risk of additional revisions that create no extra value. When a project is extended over a long period of time, it can start to focus on the organizational aspect of the software rather than its actual function.
Agile explicitly prevents decision paralysis by encouraging iterative work cycles or sprints. These sprints emphasize the working of the software and its underlying results over software complexity. Many developers take a results-driven approach when it comes to custom software development. With results-focused development, the goal is to understand the actual outcome desired and design software that will achieve this outcome.
Agile Provides Data Transparency and Shared Responsibilities
Transparency is among the key benefits of agile development. It focuses on the interactions and individuals over tools and process. This includes customer collaboration over strict negotiation, which allows for flexibility when it comes to making specific changes. Transparency in the development cycles lets everyone involved make better and more reliable decisions. The agile custom software development process has the ability to meet the ever-changing demands of our clients and the ever-evolving technology space. It is reliable, cost-effective and offers far more flexibility that past methods like waterfall.
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