What is Agile Model ?
Definition: The Agile model is an iterative and incremental approach to software development that prioritizes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous delivery. Agile methodology emphasizes the importance of delivering working software frequently, rather than focusing solely on comprehensive documentation or following a strict plan. Agile teams work closely with customers and stakeholders to ensure that their needs are being met, and they prioritize responding to change over following a rigid plan. Some popular Agile methodologies include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP).
The Agile model in software testing is an iterative and incremental approach to software development that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous delivery. It is a response to traditional software development methods that were often inflexible, slow to adapt to changing requirements, and heavily focused on documentation.
SDLC agile model values individuals and interactions over processes and tools, and prioritizes responding to change over following a strict plan. This means that Agile teams work closely with customers and stakeholders to ensure that their needs are being met, and they prioritize delivering working software frequently, rather than focusing solely on comprehensive documentation or following a strict plan.
Some popular agile methodologies include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP). Each methodology has its own set of principles and practices, but they all share a common set of values and a focus on delivering value to customers.
Agile Model Phases
There are agile model phases which are shown below:
Requirements gathering: In this phase, the product owner and the development team work together to identify the features and requirements of the product. The requirements are then documented in the product backlog.
Planning: In this phase, the team plans the iterations or sprints. The team decides what features to work on in the upcoming sprint based on the priority of the backlog items. The team also estimates the effort required to complete each item.
Design: In this phase, the team designs the solution to meet the requirements. This is an iterative process where the team creates prototypes, gets feedback, and makes changes to the design.
Development: In this phase, the team builds the product incrementally, sprint by sprint. Each sprint typically lasts for 1-4 weeks. The team uses test-driven development and continuous integration to ensure that the product is of high quality.
Testing: In this phase, the team tests the product incrementally. The team uses automated and manual testing to ensure that the product meets the acceptance criteria and is free of defects.
Deployment: In this phase, the team deploys the product incrementally to the production environment. This done after each sprint or iteration.
Feedback: In this phase, the team receives feedback from the product owner and the end-users. The team uses this feedback to improve the product and the process.
Types Of Agile Model
Agile is a project management approach that emphasizes iterative development, continuous feedback, and flexibility to change. There are several types of agile model in software engineering that organizations can use to manage their software development projects.
Scrum: A popular Agile framework that emphasizes teamwork, communication, and collaboration. It uses short iterations called sprints to deliver working software incrementally.
Kanban: A visual Agile framework that focuses on continuous delivery and reducing waste. It uses a board to visualize the flow of work and limits work in progress to improve efficiency.
Lean: A methodology that emphasizes the elimination of waste and the maximization of value. It uses continuous improvement to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Extreme Programming (XP): An Agile methodology that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, customer involvement, and technical excellence. It includes practices such as pair programming and test-driven development to ensure high-quality software.
Crystal: A lightweight Agile methodology that emphasizes people, interactions, and communication. It designed for small to medium-sized teams working on projects with relatively simple requirements.
Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM): An Agile methodology that emphasizes collaboration, iteration, and flexibility. It includes a strong focus on the business value of software and designed for projects with tight deadlines.
Feature-Driven Development (FDD): An Agile methodology that emphasizes iterative development, feature-based planning, and regular feedback. It designed for large, complex projects with many teams working together.
Challenges Of Agile Model
Lack of predictability: Agile methodology is highly flexible, which can make it difficult to predict when a project will be completed or what the final product will look like. This can challenge for project managers or stakeholders who used to a more rigid approach.
Communication challenges: Because Agile methodology emphasizes collaboration and communication, it can be challenging for teams that not used to working together or that geographically dispersed.
Lack of documentation: Agile methodology prioritizes delivering working software over comprehensive documentation, which can make it difficult to track progress or ensure that all requirements have met.
Resistance to change: Some team members or stakeholders may resistant to the Agile methodology, especially if they used to a more traditional approach to software development.
Agile Model Example
Here is an agile model example:
In Scrum, the development process divided into short iterations called sprints. During each sprint, the team works on a set of user stories or features that have prioritized by the product owner.
At the beginning of the sprint, the team holds a sprint planning meeting where they define the goals for the sprint and break down the user stories into smaller, more manageable tasks. Throughout the sprint, the team holds daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress and identify any obstacles that need to be addressed.
At the end of the sprint, the team holds a sprint review meeting where they demonstrate the completed work to the product owner and any other stakeholders. They also hold a sprint retrospective meeting to reflect on the sprint and identify areas for improvement.
The Scrum model allows for flexibility and continuous feedback, which helps teams to quickly adapt to changing requirements and deliver working software incrementally.
Advantages Of Agile Model
Some advantages of agile model include:
Flexibility: Agile highly flexible and allows for changes to make throughout the development process.
Faster time-to-market: Agile allows for a faster time-to-market as the product delivered incrementally in sprints.
Higher quality: Agile emphasizes continuous testing, which results in higher quality products.
Customer satisfaction: Agile puts the customer at the center of the development process, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.
Collaboration: Agile encourages collaboration and communication within the team, resulting in a more cohesive team.
Disadvantages Of Agile Model
Some disadvantages of agile model include:
Lack of predictability: Agile is highly flexible, which can make it difficult to predict the final outcome.
Requires skilled team members: Agile requires skilled team members who are able to work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
Requires active customer involvement: Agile requires active customer involvement throughout the development process, which can be difficult to achieve.
Lack of documentation: Agile emphasizes working software over documentation, which can result in a lack of documentation.
Scope creep: Agile allows for changes to be made throughout the development process, which can result in scope creep if not managed effectively.
Conclusion
In SDLC methodology, Agile model works for software development in such a situation when customer needs change according to the changing needs of the market and they need new changes in the product. This is the most expensive method however with the help of this the developing work can be done very fast and the level of customer satisfaction is also very high as there is an arrangement to add new updates to the software as per the request of every change received from the customer.