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Why I use Agile
What is Agile Development
Agile is a development mindset which is centered around delivering working software quickly. Approaches vary, but this goal is usually achieved through close collaboration, short-term development cycles, constant feedback and a deep understanding of a small area of functionality.
Why I love agile
I have a lot of fun developing software, but it’s not the development itself that is where the enjoyment comes from. I most enjoy solving problems, and solving them well. To do that I need to really understand the end users and what they need from their software. Often when going into the vast complexities of a large project these needs can be forgotten. I can use Agile development techniques to ensure the user experience is front and center.
How I acheive agility
I start with a broad but shallow overview of the project. Who are the users? What are their goals? Using these simple questions, I start to create loose characters for discussion. For example
- David is a customer who wants to pay an invoice.
- Lucy is a staff member who wants to adjust a booking.
- Tom is a user who wants to share a photo.
From here I home in on the most critical features. I ideally try to find a complete feature which I can deliver in a short space of time. It may even transpire that part of the application could be used standalone, right away. Once a feature is chosen, the user-requirements for this feature are planned in detail. When all stakeholders thoroughly understand the users goal our technical approach is mapped out, costed and agreed upon with firm timescales in place.
We can then confidently set upon the work of crafting this functionality. During this phase we rely heavily on high quality work being produced, as this is the key to the later stages. What is delivered is a fully working, high quality piece of software, albeit one with very limited scope.
We put this software in front of as many users and stakeholders as we can and gather feedback on the product. Analysis of this feedback is used to reaffirm or modify the projects goals. As user goals become better understood, requirements shift and the product is adapted to suit.
By constantly measuring usage and engagement we can deliver a demonstrably more suitable application at each iteration. From the perspective of people who love solving problems, Agile gives us a great way of knowing that real problems are being solved. And that’s great for everyone.