What is Agile?Portugal



• Working software over comprehensive documentationCore project management philosophies
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiationProject management methodologies
• Responding to change over following a plan may be classified into two broad categories, based on their fundamental philosophies. These are

Agile principleslinear

Agile is supported by twelve guiding principles, intended to help teams create successful products in an ever-changing environment. These principles inform day-to-day Agile practices. and

1. Satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable softwareiterative
2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. It’s important to be aware of these core strategies when choosing the best approach for your project.
3. Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of monthsLinear (Waterfall) approach
4. Collaborate daily between business people and developersDescription and key principles
5. Build The projectsWaterfall around motivated individuals and provide support strategy is a linear approach where a project is broken down into distinct phases, and each phase is completed before progressing to the next. Core tenets of this approach include detailed upfront planning, comprehensive documentation at each phase, rigorous change control processes, and a strong emphasis on following the planned path.
6. Convey information face-to-face whenever possibleAdvantages and disadvantages
7. Working software is the primary measure of progressAdvantages:
8. Maintain a sustainable development paceClear structure and defined milestones
9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good designWell-defined deliverables
10. Simplicity – the art of maximising the work not done – is essentialEasier costs and timelines estimation.
11. Self-organising teams produce the best architectures, requirements, and designsDisadvantages:
12. Regularly reflect and adapt to improve effectivenessLimited flexibility to accommodate changes

Historical origins and evolution of AgileLate identification of issues or misalignments

The Agile approach originated in the late 1990s as software teams sought alternatives to rigid project management models like the Potentially longer development cycles.WaterfallIterative (Agile) approach model. In 2001, seventeen thought leaders signed Description and key principlesthe Agile ManifestoAgile, formalising Agile values and sparking the formation of the Agile Alliance. Since then, Agile has evolved beyond software development into methodologies, on the other hand, emphasise flexibility, collaboration, and the rapid delivery of working products. Core tenets of Agile approaches include iterative development cycles (known as sprints), continuous feedback and adaptation, close collaboration with stakeholders, and a focus on delivering value early and frequently.project managementAdvantages and disadvantages, product development, and operations.Advantages:

Benefits of AgileAdaptability to changing requirements

• Flexibility:Early and frequent delivery of usable products Respond rapidly to changing customer needs and market conditions.Increased stakeholder satisfaction
• Continuous improvement:Quicker identification and resolution of issues. Regular retrospectives help teams adapt and improve their processes.Disadvantages:
• Customer satisfaction:Risk of scope creep Frequent delivery ensures customer requirements are met early and often.Challenges in estimating overall project timelines
• Transparency:Requires highly skilled and self-motivated team members. Iterative development and open communication foster stakeholder trust.It’s worth noting that choosing between linear and iterative strategies depends on several factors, such as project complexity, stakeholder involvement, and the team’s capabilities. Additionally, some
• Reduced risk:projects Incremental delivery allows for earlier issue detection and correction. may benefit from a hybrid approach that combines elements of both strategies to leverage their respective strengths.
• Enhanced team collaboration:Enhance your skills with our expert-led courses Cross-functional teams communicate daily to resolve challenges efficiently.

Agile vs waterfall model

Agile frameworks and practicesproject management

Scrum framework methodologies. These have been in use for years, and if you are new to the field or are simply curious to learn more, read on!

ScrumWaterfall is a widely adopted Agile framework structured around short, timeboxed periods called Process and stagessprintsWaterfall. Teams maintain a methodology follows a linear and sequential approach consisting of the following stages:product backlogRequirements gathering of features and tasks, delivering increments of working software at the end of each sprint. Roles in Scrum include Product Owner, DesignScrum MasterImplementation, and Development Team. Daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives reinforce team collaboration and transparency.Testing

KanbanDeployment

Kanban emphasises visualising work, limiting work in progress, and optimising flow. Teams use Kanban boards to track tasks and identify bottlenecks, often integrating continuous improvement practices.Maintenance.

User stories and Product BacklogEach stage must be completed before proceeding to the next, with an emphasis on documentation and clear milestones.

Features are typically described as Best use casesuser storiesConstruction projects, manufacturing processes, large-scale infrastructure projects and projects with well-defined and stable requirements are particularly suitable for Waterfall. in a product backlog. This backlog is prioritised by the Product Owner and guides the work to be pulled into each sprint or iteration.Pros and cons

Key concepts: Iterative and incremental deliveryDetailed documentation at each stage.

Agile projects proceed in small iterations, each resulting in an incrementally improved product. This iterative approach enables rapid adaptation, regular feedback, and incremental value to stakeholders.Cons:

Team collaboration and cross-functional teamsLimited flexibility for changes

Agile emphasises collaboration between customers, stakeholders, and team members from diverse disciplines. Cross-functional teams are empowered to make decisions and deliver complete solutions within each iteration.Late identification of issues

Continuous improvement practicesPotentially lengthy development cycles.

Agile teams conduct regular retrospectives to identify areas for improvement and adjust their processes. This culture of continuous improvement leads to increased quality, productivity, and team morale over time.Critical Path Method (CPM)

Further ResourcesKey concepts and implementation

• Agile software development (Encyclopaedia)CPM
• Agile Alliance: Agile Manifesto is a scheduling technique for project activities. It involves identifying all necessary tasks, task dependencies, calculating the longest path of planned activities, and determining the minimum project duration.