Gems of Agile

Benefits of using Agile Methodologies in your project

Objective of this Presentation

Current challenges with Waterfall Methodology, Reasons for Fuzzy Requirements The Agile Umbrella Advantages of using Agile Methodologies What is in it for me ? VersionOne Survey Results

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Challenges in the Traditional Method

Unclear/Fuzzy Requirements

Cannot accommodate

changes quickly

Testing very late in the project

User involvement only at the

beginning & end

Heavy Documentation &

Sign offs

Working software visible very late

Why software projects fail ?

Standish CHAOS Report, 2010

37%

21%

42%

Successful Failed Challenged

Reasons for failure:

• Incomplete requirements• Lack of user involvement• Lack of resources• Unrealistic expectations• Lack of executive support• Changing requirements and

specifications

Sources of Fuzzy Requirements

• Changing Market Dynamics• Evolving Technology & Tools• Business Needs getting more complex• Multiple Stakeholders• Expectations of the products and service

qualities increasing

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From Start to the End

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Delivering the “Right Value”

Rarely19%

Never45%

Always7%

Often13%

Sometimes16%

Ref: Jim Johnson, Chairman of Standish Group, quoted in 2006 in: http://www.infoq.com/articles/Interview-Johnson-Standish-CHAOSSample: government and commercial organizations, no vendors, suppliers or consultants

Focusing on customer needs ensures:

the right features are builtnot wasting effort (and resources) on features that are not needed

Main principle:Only build the features that the client/users need

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Why Agile ?

Develop & QASpec

Develop & QA + Changes

AGILE

Waterfall

y wks

CollaborativeResults-Oriented

3 MONTHS

x wks

Faster Time to Market Higher Quality Satisfied Customer Better Usability

Spec

6-10 MONTHS

Changes

Sequential Process-Oriented 8

What is Agile Development ?

• Agile software development is a group of software development methods based on iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing, cross-functional teams.

• It promotes adaptive planning, evolutionary development and delivery, a time-boxed iterative approach, and encourages rapid and flexible response to change.

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The Agile Manifesto

Agile is a set of values:– Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

– Working software (Products) over comprehensive documentation

– Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

– Responding to change over following a plan

That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.

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Agile Umbrella

Agile

Crystal

XPScrum DSDMFDD

Kanban RUP

RUP (120+)

XP (13)

Scrum (9)

Kanban (3)

Do Whatever!! (0)

More Prescriptive

More Adaptive

RUP has over 30 roles, over 20 activities, and over 70 artifacts

more rules to follow

fewer rules to follow11

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Agile = Early Value

Time

Analysis

Design

Coding

Testing

20% done(100% usable!)

Time

Analysis

Design

Coding

Testing

Do we have halfa solution yet?

Traditional Process Agile Process

Value Delivered vs Risk

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Characteristics of Agile Delivery• Short cycles (1-4 weeks):

– At the beginning of each cycle, figure out what are the most important things to do right now

– Demonstrate what was done at the end of each cycle (make it available for use if appropriate)

• Welcome feedback (and act on it)

• The team focuses on one thing at a time, until it is done

• Defer requirements definition until just before you build them

• Create cross-functional teams that include both business and technical people

• Promote adaptive planning and a people-centric approach14

What is in it for me?

• CustomerHave Opportunity to provide feedback earlyGo to market faster with QualityFaster return on investment

• LeadershipTo understand progress in terms of real progress made on

product . Better engaged & accountable team

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What is in it for me?

• Team MemberA sustainable paceSatisfaction of quality product deliveredClear Priority and less interruption during development

• OrganizationHighly ROI based on Fixed CostMotivated working for a common goalVibrant culture with a high Customer Satisfaction

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Benefits of Agile Approach

• Stakeholder Engagement• Transparency• Early and Predictable Delivery• Predictable Costs and Schedule• Allows for Change• Focusing on Business Value• Focusing on Customers• Improving Quality

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Survey – Agile Benefits

Source: VersionOne 2012 Annual State of Agile Development Survey