Introduction
In one of my previous blogs, I delved into the what, why, and how behind the Agile Manifesto, highlighting its four core values and twelve principles through the lens of developing a video game.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at how Agile works in practice, particularly focusing on the concepts of time-boxing, iterative, and incremental development.
Agile operates on the foundation of time-boxing, an iterative approach, and incremental development. Unlike the traditional Waterfall method, where everything is developed all at once, Agile embraces a step-by-step process that allows for continuous improvement and adaptation.
- Time-Boxing: This refers to the maximum time allocated for a specific activity.
- Iterative Development: The process of repeating specific tasks until the desired outcome is achieved.
- Incremental Development: A method of gradually adding features or components to a product, instead of implementing everything at once.
Start with a Clear Product Vision
What is a Product Vision?
Imagine you want to build a house.
Before laying the first brick, you likely have a picture in your mind of how you want the house to look, what it will include, and how you’ll use it. This mental image is your product vision.
A product vision is like a dream of how a product, service, or even an abstract concept will look and function once completed. Everyone involved in development must understand this vision to contribute effectively.
Starting with a strong product vision is crucial for setting smaller, measurable goals (SMART Goals) that guide you toward that long-term objective. It’s the blueprint that drives all subsequent steps in the Agile process.
Build a Cross-Functional Team
What Does Cross-Functional Mean?
Let’s extend the house-building analogy to understand the concept of a cross-functional team.
Imagine you’re building the house with friends, each of whom has a unique skill set. One is great at drawing, another excels at planning, and a third is skilled in woodworking. Together, you form a cross-functional Agile team. Each person contributes different skills necessary to complete the house, and instead of working in isolation (as in a component team), you collaborate and assist one another to ensure the house is built faster and better.
A cross-functional team is essential in Agile because it fosters collaboration, minimizes handoffs, and allows for faster problem-solving. Each member’s diverse expertise contributes to the overall success of the project.
Implement Iterative and Incremental Development
How Do Iterative and Incremental Development Work in Practice?
Using the same house-building example, Incremental development means constructing the house step by step. First, you lay the foundation, then build the walls, add the roof, and finally, install the windows and doors.With each completed phase, the house becomes more functional and closer to its final form.
This is incremental development—adding parts gradually, with each piece enhancing the overall structure.
Iterative development, on the other hand, allows for adjustments along the way. Suppose you realize that the windows are too small and would benefit from being larger. You revisit that part of the work and make the necessary improvements.
This is the essence of iterative development—continuously refining and improving what has already been done to align more closely with the desired outcome.
Focus on Customer Feedback
Imagine that while building your house, you periodically invite friends over to share their thoughts on your progress.
Focusing on feedback is one of the cornerstones of Agile.
Let’s say you’ve completed the walls and roof, but your friends suggest that more seating space inside and larger windows would make the house more enjoyable. By listening to their ideas, you decide to incorporate these changes.
Regularly seeking feedback creates opportunities to tailor the product to the users’ needs and desires. The more you adapt based on their input, the better the final product will be.
Continuous Improvement
When the house is finally built, instead of stopping there, you decide to keep improving it over time.
Each time your friends visit, you find ways to make the house even better—adding new furniture, painting the walls, or installing better lighting. This is continuous improvement.
In Agile, the product is never truly “finished.” There is always room for enhancement based on user feedback, new insights, or emerging needs.
Conclusion
The house you built is the result of collaborative effort, constant adaptation, and continuous improvement based on feedback.
Each time something changes or is enhanced, the house becomes more beautiful and functional for everyone. As a team, you not only built a house but also created a space where everyone enjoys spending time.
Can you share an experience where customer feedback completely changed the direction of your project? How did your team react, and what was the outcome?
