Introduction to Agile Frameworks
Agile Framework is a method that has been used to develop and create new software. The approach undertaken for agile is an iterative approach. This means whenever new developments or any form of requirements are discovered or needed, they are added to the software.
Understanding Agile Framework
Below is a list of some of the frameworks that are widely used and most popular. It should be noted that there are many similarities between them since the underlying framework is agile for all of them. In the end, it comes to which framework is more convenient in terms of implementation and appropriate for the problem being solved.
- Agile Scrum Methodology.
- Lean and Kanban Software Development.
- Extreme Programming (XP)
- Crystal.
- Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM).
- Feature Driven Development (FDD).
How does Agile Framework Work?
We will analyze and understand how each of the above-mentioned frameworks works.
1. Agile Scrum Methodology
It is a simple framework that facilitates team collaboration on complex software projects. Scrum stresses teamwork in project management. It stresses accountability and is iterative progress towards a goal that is already predefined and established. Scrum is part of agile software development.
Within Scrum, there are two important positions or roles that one needs to take care of. These are
a. Scrum Master: He is the senior-most person, provides his inputs and guidance to the team whenever they need it. He has the immerse experience and uses this experience to solve problems that the team faces
b. The Product Owner: He collaborates with the external stakeholder, what are their requirements and keeping these requirements in mind, he finds resources. Both human and monetary.
2. Lean Software Development
It is a highly flexible, evolving methodology without rigid guidelines, rules, or methods. Lean Software Development is an iterative Agile framework that primarily focuses on delivering value to the customer.
It relies on rapid and reliable feedback between programmers and customers; it enhances productivity and efficiency by asking customers to select valuable features and then prioritize those features, and then work to deliver them.
3. Kanban Software Development
This is in line and is, in a way, build upon Lean software. In fact, research shows a high percentage of teams practicing Lean use Kanban to visualize and actively manage the creation of products.
Kanban is based on 3 principles.
a. Visualization: Planning before implementation. This means spending considerable time on the drawing board, testing, and coordinating with various teams internally. Asking for feedback and working on that feedback and suggestion. Basically thinking about any possible problem that may arise and the solution to those problems.
b. Limit the Amount of Work in Progress: Finishing a particular task than starting on next. This way, they limit the amount of work in progress. One advantage of doing so is that a task is completed a hundred percent, then only the team moves onto the next task. This saves time in the future as there are very low chances that there will be errors in that work.
c. Enhance Flow: When something is finished, the next highest priority item is worked on.
Overall, Kanban promotes continuous collaboration and encourages active ongoing learning and improvement.
4. Extreme Programming
It is an approach that aims to deliver high-quality software quickly and continuously. It is intended to improve the quality and features of the software. It takes into account changing customer requirements.
It supports and promotes involving your customers, providing feedback very quickly, continually testing, continually planning, and working closely with teams to deliver working software at very frequent intervals, typically every 1-3 weeks.
The original extreme programming method is based on four simple principles –
- Simplicity
- Communication
- Feedback
- Courage
5. Crystal
The Crystal methodology is one of the most adaptable approaches to software development. Within the crystal, we have further bifurcation like crystal clear, crystal orange, and crystal yellow. Each has its own character and can be used depending on team size, system criticality, and other needs and demands of the client.
In terms of other frameworks, crystal differs from others in terms of:
- Early frequent delivery of software
- User involvement is high
- Constant reflection to find ways as to how it can be improved
6. Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)
DSDM is based on eight key principles that are the focus of the team working on it. These principles serve as a foundation for them when they are working with clients. These principles primarily are:
- Business needs/value.
- Active user involvement.
- Empowered teams.
- Frequent delivery.
- Integrated testing.
- Stakeholder collaboration.
Thus overall, DSDM has evolved to provide a comprehensive foundation for planning, managing and executing the Agile process.
7. Feature Driven Development (FDD)
Feature-driven development involves five very basic activities; below is a list of these activities. The team working on feature-driven development uses these activities as a benchmark.
- Developing the overall model.
- Building a feature list.
- Once the feature list is built, planning on the list begins.
- After planning, the team moves to the design stage.
- And lastly takes it to the implementation stage, where it starts building the feature as per the needs and requirements of the client.
FDD establishes an overview of the model, which is then resulted in a feature list. It then moves onto the next steps, that is, plan by feature, design by feature, build by feature iterations. Overall, FDD is a great solution to maintain control over incremental and complex Agile projects.
Why do we need an Agile Framework?
The above mentioned agile frameworks, each of them has its own unique qualities; they all take into consideration a similar process of iterative development and continuous feedback when working on software. Agile advocates working incrementally, collaboratively, and flexible.
Conclusion
Thus Agile frameworks have a lot of similarities between them, and in the end, it comes down to choosing which framework is more comfortable while working with and which serves as the best solution for the problem on hand.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to Agile frameworks. Here we discussed the Concept, Understand, Working, Needs of Agile frameworks. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –
