A few decades back, the software solutions were developed using conventional approaches like Waterfall Models, Prototype models etc. These approaches led to a lot of time consumption in planning phases as all requirements, risks are to be figured out in planning phase and do not have capabilities to deal with the changing environments; because what is planned is to be developed.

Then a need arise for a more flexible approach that can involve actual customer and the agile approaches came into existence.

“ Agile methodology allows a solution to be developed using iterative approaches and adopts a process to get customer feedbacks on regular intervals”.

Agile uses several methods. The most common are:

• SCRUM
• Extreme Programming
• Adaptive Software Development Methodology
• Dynamic System Development Method

In this post, I will be talking about SCRUM method as it is the most commonly used.

“Scrum allows to focus on delivering the highest business value in the shortest time by offering client representative to rapidly and repeatedly inspecting actual working software and giving the ability to decide to release it as is or continue to enhance for another iteration.”

SCRUM role players are:

1. Product Owner: Owner of the product or Representative from product owner team
2. Scrum Master: Represents management to the project and is responsible for enacting SCRUM values and functions through cross functional development teams.
3. Cross Functional Team: Team involves UI/UX designers, programmers, Quality Assurance professionals etc.

The steps goes:

1. Generate idea (Involve Product Owner)
2. Define (Involve Scrum master and Cross Functional Team)
3. Develop idea(Involve Scrum master and Cross Functional Team)
4. Develop idea(Involve Scrum master and Cross Functional Team)
5. Review and Adjust(Involve Product Owner, Scrum master and Cross Functional Team)

..... And the process involves iterations to get Final product completion.

The major advantage areas are:

1. Completely developed and tested features in short iterations
2. The process is very simple
3. The rules are clearly defined for sprints (Software modules)
4. Increase productivity with regular work reviews
5. Each team member carries a lot of responsibility
6. Extensive customer satisfaction
7. Changes are welcomed at any point of project and can be carried out in next iterations.
8. Collaboration between business people and cross functional development team at each stage of project.

Hope this comparison will be helpful. If you do have more questions, please feel free to connect with us.