Efficient Agile Dev: Continuous Integration Focus

Agility is the ability to move quickly and easily with skill and talent. As applied to software development, the Agile method has flexibility built in through its pragmatic approach, breaking projects into phases and emphasizing continuous integration. With continuous integration, code changes are merged into a repository’s main branch and tested early and often.

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The Agile methodology is an iterative process – projects are divided into short sprints. It’s different from the traditional approach, which is linear. With Agile, you can modify business needs and solutions at any time, requirements can be provided periodically instead of all at once, which makes for better collaboration between the developer and the user, and delivery can be modular.

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Quality is another hallmark of Agile because the user can evaluate solution models to ensure business needs are being met. You can create re-useable components, and documentation is less prioritized, saving time and money.

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Agility is vital in today’s fast-changing environment. In this article, we’ll explore the popular Agile frameworks, the benefits of Agile software development, and how to develop an Agile culture.

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The 5 most popular Agile frameworks

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There’s more than one way to implement Agile software development, and which framework you use depends on the size and experience of the team, as well as the product. All focus on on-time delivery, regular updates, and customer satisfaction.

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1. Kanban

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This framework uses visual elements to manage and develop projects. Central to this methodology is the Kanban board - broken into columns showing the workflow. This makes it easy for team members to see work status, know what to work on, and prepare for the next task. It’s a good fit for a company with a lot of unpredictable work.

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Introduced initially as a lean manufacturing system, Kanban is easy to use and implement, has a high degree of flexibility and transparency, reduces backlogs, and increases throughput. However, it’s not suitable for dynamic environments, continuous updates to the board are required, and this method lacks a defined timeframe.

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2. Scrum

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Scrum is one of the most popular methods of Agile software development. It focuses on breaking down a project into multiple parts, known as sprints, and only one sprint will be planned for and managed at any given time, with each sprint lasting one to four weeks. Scrum also utilizes a board, grouping tasks into multiple columns based on progress. It requires three roles: Scrum master, product owner, and development team.

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The Scrum method enables quick iteration and prompt response to project changes and bug fixes. Regular feedback enables good communication and collaboration, and this method focuses on customer satisfaction and immediately meeting their needs.

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3. Lean

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Like Kaban, the Lean development method is derived from a set of Japanese management principles to bring efficiency and value to manufacturing. Still, its versatility makes it valuable for agile software development. This methodology requires accepting a degree of uncertainty, relying on the fact that you can’t predict everything, but by following some core principles, unpredictable work can become efficient.

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Lean focuses on quality, continuous improvement, process optimization, and value stream mapping. This means eliminating anything that reduces efficiency and hinders work. While Lean means no waste and simplified processes, a lack of defined strategy and a high implementation cost, makes it ideal for small project development and companies that want to save time and focus on efficiency.

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4. Extreme Programming (XP)

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In this methodology, the development team and the customer work together to create a product. Clear, honest, and respectful communication is vital, as the customer decides on further product development by presenting the most valuable features, and then the development team introduces new updates.

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For companies that want to reduce project risk and avoid tight deadlines, continuously test software, and work closely with the customer, XP is ideal. It offers simple, bug-free code, and a deep understanding of client needs. However, teams must carefully focus on the final product, code, and bug detection.

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5. Crystal

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Crystal is a highly flexible agile software development method focusing on collaboration, teamwork, and communication instead of tools or processes. Four different variants with different team sizes have their own framework, with the idea that project management should adapt to whatever works for individual teams.

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For companies that can constantly communicate, and everyone working in the same office, Crystal can be a good choice with its ability to detect problems quickly and its high flexibility. However, it is ineffective when teams work from different locations. This method also requires experienced and independent developers.

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The Agile software development lifecycle

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The Agile software development lifecycle is a structured series of stages. It consists of six phases that include:

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• The concept phase: This is where the project owner will determine the scope and prioritize in the case of multiple projects. At this step, you should specify the key requirements and features, but they should be kept to a minimum for maximum agility as the project develops. At this point, you should also estimate time and cost.
• The inception phase: Now that you have outlined the concept, you should build the team according to the chosen methodology. A mock-up of the user interface and the project architecture will be created. Requirements and functionality will be fleshed out.
• The iteration phase: This is generally the longest phase as developers work with UX designers to turn the design into code, building bare functionality by the end of the first iteration. This step enables developers to quickly create working software and make improvements that enhance customer satisfaction
• The release stage: At this point, the product is almost ready. Team members will test the software to ensure clean code and any bugs are addressed quickly. User training takes place, and the final product can be released when all quality assurance has been performed.
• The maintenance phase: Once the software has been fully deployed and available, the software development team will provide ongoing support for bug resolution and user training. During this phase, new iterations can refresh the product with upgrades and new features.
• The retirement phase: If a product is being replaced with new software or a system has become obsolete or incompatible with a company’s needs, it will be retired.

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The benefits of Agile software development

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Agile, no matter your method, embraces four core values outlined in the Agile Manifesto. They include a focus on software instead of thorough documentation, collaboration instead of negotiation, an emphasis on response to change, and more importance is placed on individuals rather than processes and tools.

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With Agile, projects have a 64% success rate as opposed to a 49% success rate using other methods, and one-and-a-half times more successful than waterfall. Companies adopting agile see their profits and revenue grow an average of 60%. This is in addition to the other benefits agile software development brings, including:

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• Flexibility and adaptability
• Rapid response to changing requirements
• Improved customer satisfaction through customer feedback
• Faster time-to-market
• Iterative development and sprints
• Delivery of incremental value

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With Agile, you also get better quality software and continuous improvement. However, a company can embrace Agile, but an essential component for success comes from establishing an Agile culture with continuous integration best practices.

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Best practices for implementing agile with continuous integration

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Continuous integration improves productivity and code quality. Implementation requires building an agile culture for developers. Prioritize transparency, adaptability, flexibility, simplicity, collaboration, and a decentralized authority in the environment.

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Building an agile software development team requires:

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• Choose the methodology that best fits the project and your organization.
• Define the product roadmap based on requirements, business needs, timelines, and budget.
• Hire people who will follow the principles of Agile at every step. It makes sense to hire an established development team so projects can get started and be finished quickly – experienced teams know each other’s work styles. This is especially important if a team is working remotely.
• Communicate, communicate, communicate. Agile methodology depends on communication around iterations, core tasks, priorities, feedback, mistakes, and solutions.
• Maintain transparency when it comes to metrics and results reporting.

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Investing in ongoing education for team members, especially those in decision-making and project-guiding roles, is also essential to get the most out of the Agile framework. It’s also important to share stories of how Agile led to internal and external success.