The Iterative Waterfall model was once a common way to finish a project. However, today’s developers face several issues by using it to create software. The key obstacles were coping with customer improvement demands during project creation, as well as the high cost and time were taken to implement these changes. To address these flaws in the Waterfall model, the Agile Software Development model was proposed in the mid-1990s.
Agile Model in Software Engineering
The Agile Model is an iterative and incremental approach to software development that is designed to be flexible, adaptive, and customer-focused. Unlike traditional models of software development that rely on a linear, step-by-step process, the Agile Model emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and rapid prototyping to deliver high-quality software products. It is a highly popular model in software engineering due to its ability to quickly respond to changing customer needs and market trends. The Agile Model values individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and responding to change, making it a highly effective and efficient method for software development.
SDLC Agile Model Phases
Below are the Phases of the Agile Model in Software Engineering and a detailed explanation of what each phase involves.
- Requirements gathering (Plan): In this phase, the team works closely with the customer to identify the product requirements.
- Design the requirements: The team designs a solution that meets the customer’s needs.
- Develop/ iteration: The team creates the product in small iterations or sprints.
- Testing: This phase checks the product’s quality and ensures that it meets the requirements.
- Deployment: The product is released to the customer in this phase.
- Review: The team evaluates the product’s performance and incorporates feedback from the customer to improve the product in this final phase.
Agile Model Testing Methods
- Scrum
- Crystal
- eXtreme Programming (XP)
- Dynamic Software Development Method (DSDM)
- Lean Software Development
- Feature Driven Development (FDD)
Scrum
Scrum is an agile development process that provides an effective way to manage tasks in team-based development environments. Scrum emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and the delivery of working software in short periods of time. There are three key roles in Scrum, and each has specific responsibilities.
- Scrum Master – The Scrum Master is responsible for creating and leading the team, organizing meetings, and removing any obstacles that may arise during the development process.
- Scrum Team – The Scrum Team is responsible for managing their work, organizing tasks, and completing the given sprint or cycle within the designated time frame.
- Product Owner – The Product Owner is responsible for creating and managing the product backlog, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring that the functionality of the product is distributed evenly across each iteration or cycle of the development process.
Crystal
The Crystal method is an agile approach to software development that emphasizes three key concepts:
- Chartering: This initial phase involves various activities such as forming a development team, conducting feasibility analysis, and creating project plans.
- Cyclic Delivery: This phase is divided into two sub-cycles:
- The first sub-cycle involves the team updating the release plan.
- The second sub-cycle involves delivering the integrated product to the users.
- Wrap-Up: This final phase involves the deployment and post-deployment activities that are tailored to the user environment.
eXtreme Programming (XP)
Extreme Programming (XP) is an agile methodology that is well-suited for projects with continuously changing customer demands or uncertain system requirements. It is designed to enable frequent and quick releases with a high focus on customer satisfaction. The XP approach involves a set of practices, such as continuous integration, test-driven development, and pair programming, that ensure code quality, enhance productivity, and promote a collaborative team environment.
Dynamic Software Development Method (DSDM)
The Dynamic Software Development Method (DSDM) is an agile approach to software development that emphasizes rapid application delivery. It provides a framework for project management and encourages the active involvement of the end-users throughout the development process. DSDM empowers the development teams to make critical decisions, which helps streamline the process. The techniques used in DSDM include:
- Timeboxing: breaking down the project into increments with fixed delivery times.
- MoSCoW prioritization: categorizing requirements as Must-haves, Should-haves, Could-haves, and Won’t-haves.
- Iterative development: continuously refining and improving the product through multiple iterations.
- Prototyping: developing early versions of the product to elicit feedback from users.
Lean Software Development
Lean software development methodology follows the principle of producing software “just in time,” with the aim of speeding up the development process and reducing costs. There are seven key phases in lean development. These include eliminating waste, amplifying learning, deferring commitment to decision-making, prioritizing early delivery, empowering the development team, building integrity, and optimizing the entire development process. By following these principles, software development teams can create more efficient processes, minimize waste, and deliver high-quality products.
Feature Driven Development (FDD)
Feature Driven Development (FDD) is a software development approach that concentrates on designing and building features. Unlike other methodologies, FDD involves breaking down the work into smaller, more manageable steps that can be tackled individually for each feature.
When the Agile Model (Software Engineering) is Used?
- When the project size is relatively small.
- When a team with advanced skills and extensive experience is involved in the project.
- When there is a need for frequent changes in software development.
- When the customer is willing to engage with the software team frequently.
SDLC Agile Model Advantages
The Agile methodology has several advantages, including:
- Frequent delivery of working software, allowing for early and continuous feedback from clients
- Face-to-face communication between the development team and clients, which can help ensure that the software meets business requirements
- Efficient design and development, with a focus on delivering value quickly
- Flexibility to accommodate changes at any stage of the project, without disrupting the overall process
- Reduction of overall development time, due to the iterative and incremental approach of the Agile methodology.
Disadvantages of the Agile Model
- Lack of formal documentation: Due to the focus on flexibility and adaptability, the Agile model may not produce as much formal documentation as other development methodologies. This can lead to confusion and misunderstandings among team members.
- Difficulty with maintenance: Without proper documentation, maintaining an Agile project after it is completed can be a challenge. This is especially true if team members have moved on to other projects and are no longer available to answer questions or provide guidance.
- Dependence on team members: Agile development relies heavily on collaboration and communication between team members. If one team member is unavailable or unresponsive, it can slow down the entire project.
- Difficulty with large teams: While Agile can work well for small teams, it can become more difficult to manage as the team size grows. Communication and coordination become more complex, and it can be challenging to keep everyone on the same page.
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