What is Agile model? Currently, many companies around the world have used the Agile model to manage work effectively. What are the advantages of this model and how to deploy it to achieve the highest efficiency? Let's find out in this article by Viindoo.
What is Agile Model?
First, let's learn about the concept of Agile Model. Basically, Agile is an iterative model, when businesses break a large project into small tasks to be performed in a fixed time (sprint). As a result, the project management process becomes simpler and easier, and businesses can better prepare for the project.
Especially in case the customer changes their minds, the Agile model will allow businesses to evaluate the task they are doing and make adjustments step by step more easily.
The advantages and potential of Agile project management are undeniable. The model reduces redundant time, speeding up the project completion time. In recent times, more than half of the 19 countries surveyed have adopted the Agile model. Besides, many other businesses are also choosing Agile to keep up with the work progress in the future.
In the Agile model, a project is broken down into smaller tasks
About Agile
The Agile model brings lots of advantages to the operation and management of the project. Here are 7 typical features of the model that readers can refer to.
- Evolution: With the Agile model, separate tasks can be completed in each sprint sorted in the sprint backlog by separate and independent teams. Over time, the software will grow incrementally until it meets the customers' requirements.
- Repeatability: Agile model breaks down large tasks into smaller pieces and repeats them over a specific period of time (sprint). In each sprint, team members are tasked with planning, researching customer requirements, building and implementing the project, and finally evaluating the results.
- Self-organized group: Independence is the typical characteristic of a team in the Agile model. Faced with a set amount of work, each member of the organization actively plans their own work and ensures the best overall results.
- Adaptation: Each piece of work will be done in a fairly short fixed period of time, so members must be highly adaptable.
- Transparency: In the Agile model, communication plays a crucial role. Transparent communication helps connect project members, including customers. Thereby, the implementation process will become clearer and smoother, limiting the "bottlenecks" due to not detecting problems in time. Results are also more optimized, reducing repeating repairs.
- Grow on these values: Value-driven development is built around the interaction between the developers' team and the person making the requirements for the product/work. The execution team will prioritize the important work and eliminate the unnecessary.
Agile methods can be adjusted according to customer requirements
>>>> Learn More: What is Agile project management? Agile project management process
Principles
When implementing the Agile model, pay attention to the main principles below:
- Do accept changes even when the project is in the final stages of implementation.
- Prioritize the implementation of the work according to timelines that are not too long.
- Always keep interaction and connection among team members as well as requesters for products/work.
- Prioritize direct communication to convey information most effectively.
- Always support other individuals, aiming for the best overall outcome.
- Always assign work to ensure the project is implemented on schedule.
- The Agile model often has long-term and continuous stability.
- Simplify workload by finding solutions to eliminate or replace unnecessary work in the project.
- Be creative, proactive, and independent at work.
- Teams will make periodic evaluations to find effective methods as well as correct unsuitable work.
>>>> See More: 12 Agile principles of Agile project management
A sprint should last from a few weeks to a month
Benefits of the Agile model in project management
Provide complete data
With the Agile mode, all the project's information about customers, and markets are fully, and transparently updated. From there, the management and employees have an overview of the project.
Satisfy customers
Agile model is customer-centric. It means that the developer team is always open to feedback, and ready to update the software implementation process. Sometimes customers only have an overview of the product, but in the process of communicating and working, Agile will connect the team and customers to help the product better than expected.
Effective teamwork
Agile encourages employees to focus on the project to deliver the best product. For example, in the Scrum method, there will be a Scrum Master who plays the role of ensuring that the team works effectively, eliminating distractions for employees.
Adapt quickly
The Agile model divides a project into tasks that are implemented in parallel. The members of the groups are well aware of the data and information of each sprint. As a result, the teams of each sprint can flexibly respond to any changes.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Agile model
Here, let's learn more about the disadvantages and advantages of the Agile model.
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The Agile model has advantages that bring great benefits to businesses
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The most commonly used Agile project management methods
Scrum method
What is Scrum? Scrum is an Agile project management method that helps us manage and control all iterative projects. This method breaks down a project into smaller tasks, which are then managed by a Scrum Team for a predetermined time. To create a Scrum Team, we need to define the scrum master, product owner, and product goal.
XP method
XP aka eXtreme Programming is the ultimate programming method. XP helps businesses develop products that improve quality and ensure products can meet the constantly changing needs of users. People often apply XP to programming techniques, teamwork, and clear communication to create the best product.
Kanban method
What is Kanban? Kanban is a tool to visualize the tasks through specific stages to improve overall efficiency, especially when there are many tasks at the same time. In production, Kaban again becomes the tool to control the line, specifying the different stages and production materials through the color shown.
DSDM method
DSDM is also known as Dynamic Systems Development Method. The most prominent feature of DSDM is that it allows users and stakeholders to actively participate in the software development process, and the development team is empowered to make decisions in the project. The DSDM method strictly adheres to 8 principles: cooperation; timely delivery; focus on business needs; proven control; clear, continuous communication; no loss of quality; iterative development; creative in fundamental steps.
FDD method
FDD is a feature-driven development approach that creates very short iterative processes that are tied together. After defining the overall shape model, the FDD project team will cross out a feature list and break them down into specific workflows. The advantage of this method is that it can be scaled, used effectively with large groups, and helps to shorten the implementation time.
Agile model implementation steps
What is the implementation process of the Agile model? What steps are included? Readers can refer to the following 6 steps in applying the Agile method.
- Build a project plan
Similar to other projects, first, the development team must determine the end goal and the value that the project brings to the customer. The team must then map out the work that needs to be done to achieve that goal. It should be noted, during the application of the Agile model, these implementations can completely be adjusted to better suit the change in demand.
- Set up product roadmap
Product roadmaps are understood as important stages and Project milestones on the journey to create the final product. At this stage, the implementation team needs to build the most specific and complete roadmap to be able to produce the perfect final product.
- Develop a release plan
One of the differences between the Agile and Waterfall models is that the Agile model allows implementers to complete a specific feature/work in a short period of time. Instead of waiting months or years to see the final product, the implementation team and stakeholders can visualize features completed in short cycles.
Before starting project implementation, develop a plan for feature releases. From there, stakeholders can easily access and reevaluate the release plan for each of those features.
Agile model implementation steps
- Develop a sprint plan
Before each Sprint begins, the relevant departments must plan the Sprint and determine what needs to be done. Note, it is necessary to divide the task evenly among the individuals in the team to ensure the task is completed on time before the sprint ends.
- Evaluate project performance daily
Operating projects according to the Agile model requires the implementation team to hold daily short meetings and exchanges to evaluate and consider work. In that stand-up meeting, each person will briefly inform about the work they are undertaking and if there are any difficulties or problems.
- Sprint Review
At the end of each Sprint, the implementation team will hold two meetings. It is a meeting with relevant departments to check and accept the finished product, and a face-to-face meeting for the parties to discuss product problems (if any).
Review Sprints and discuss product issues
Here is all the information about the question of what is Agile model as well as the advantages and disadvantages of Agile in project management. Hopefully, the information provided by Viindoo will be valuable for managers, and business owners to refer to and apply to their business model.
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