Agile Software Development – an agile methodology for software and website development – has been known worldwide for quite some time. Agile has been particularly effective in the development of technically complex, unique web applications and portals.
How Does Agile Work?
Unlike classical design, with the Agile approach, only general ideas, requirements, and principles of project development are created. The terms of reference, in the usual form, are not used. And the development process is divided into iterations. In this case, each iteration is a complete development cycle.
As a result of each iteration, the next stable release appears, making significant improvements to the current version of the project or introducing new functionality into it.
In other words, the Agile methodology assumes development without technical specifications, “breaking” the project into pieces, each of which can start generating income immediately after the development is completed. Each iteration is a separate mini-project, analyzing which requirements for the next iteration are formed.
Let’s observe the lifecycle of the Agile methodology:
1. Understanding customer requirements
Work on a project begins with collecting information from the client. Determined
initial requirements, prioritization is performed, and the necessary resources are selected. The budget for the development of the entire project is also determined.
A demo is created or selected concerning how the work will be demonstrated. After that, the next step is sprint planning.
2. Sprint Planning
A sprint is a period during which a task is completed and ready for review.
To make it more targeted based on the end-user, the web developer first determines the duration of the sprint. The shorter the sprint, the more flexible and frequent the working version becomes. Hence, customer feedback will be received on a regular basis. It helps in debugging errors and fixing any minor problems promptly.
3. Designing the product
The creation of the web portal begins. Tasks are distributed among the respective developers. After launch, the tracking of tasks is carried out in the form of on-board information. The task list will move from the To-Do list to In Progress.
Agile foundations include speed and scale. Velocity refers to the time it takes to fix a customer’s problem.
When the part of the website is ready, the next step, called “Testing,” is performed.
The web development company often helps clients with content and navigation. The web developer provides small parts of the project to the client to get prompt feedback from him. The designs are tested simultaneously, and the results are demonstrated immediately.
5. Feedback and preparing for the next set of work
After receiving feedback from the client at each stage, the results are discussed within the team. How the development process can be improved and what next steps can be taken becomes the deciding factor for the next set of jobs.
Benefits of Agile Website Development
First of all, the advantages of flexible development of web portals include:
- High speed of delivery of web projects, the ability to get the first or trial version of the product in record time;
- Risk minimization – at any stage, the customer can test the project, start it up and start evaluating its economic efficiency, make certain adjustments or even stop work;
- Using time boxes to control the due date of tasks;
- The ability, if you need to make some changes, to do it quickly and without prejudice to the basis of the project;
- Reasonable payment – the client constantly sees in front of him the concrete, already achieved results, and can reduce costs by paying only for the significant iterations and expanding the project’s functionality as far as possible.
The pros of Agile makes it possible to confidently assume that shortly this methodology will take a leading position in the development of sites and various web projects.
Disadvantages of Agile Website Development
Nevertheless, along with the many advantages of this approach to the implementation of various projects, it also has certain drawbacks:
- Strong dependence on the development team: the risk of resulting in a product of a low quality or never reaching its completion;
- The need to involve the customer in the entire development process;
- There may be unforeseen difficulties with product extensibility. For example, at the design stage, requirements were not taken into account, the need for which arose in later iterations;
- The high cost of development: without a technical task, it is difficult to predict the resources required for the implementation of the project; therefore, possible additional charges are included in the cost.
However, as you might guess, everything here depends only and exclusively on the specialists entrusted with the work – if we are talking about professionals who know their business, all this can be avoided.
When Should You Choose Agile Web Portal Development?
It is impractical to use agile when working on each product. But there are several hallmarks of a project that needs agile development.
- Large and technologically sophisticated. When it is cheaper to do everything gradually and constantly test than to redo an already finished product.
- Long-lasting. The longer the project will function, the harder it is to imagine its development – for example, an online store.
- With high uncertainty. When a project is innovative, it is impossible to think over all the functions in advance. It is easier to do it in small jerks and test it.
- When there are many ideas, and it is not clear which of them will be successful. Implementing everything at once is risky and economically unjustified.
- With the ideal customer. When the client is so interested in the product that he wants to participate in everything himself, Agile is the perfect scenario.
If at least one item from this list fits the project, you need to think about agile. If we are talking about working on standard projects, then traditional development methods will be appropriate here, particularly waterfall (Waterfall model). However, in any case, it is essential to carefully consider the choice of the team that will make the project a reality – the final result will depend on their professionalism, coordination, and speed.
GBKSOFT has been developing web and mobile applications since 2011. More than 100 developers, designers, layout designers, business analysts, and project managers work on projects.
GBKSOFT clients include large companies, startups, digital agencies, and design studios from the United States, Western Europe, and Australia. Being partners for the customers is crucial for us more than to provide outsourcing and outstaffing services. Therefore, our teamwork has never been limited to the implementation of customer ideas – we create these ideas together.