Today, we will talk about the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development">Agile </a>process in Project Management, which is being used to manage and deliver the project by performing small tasks. Agile is a popular development methodology widely used by development teams.It is an easy-to-understand and very productive process. It doesn’t create any dependencies between the team members. So that members can do their work without wasting any time.

Agile Methodology

<img width="450" height="253" src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_methodology.jpg" alt="agile_methodology" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_methodology.jpg 1920w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_methodology-300x169.jpg 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_methodology-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_methodology-768x432.jpg 768w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_methodology-1536x864.jpg 1536w"><div>+1 Likes</div>Today, we will talk about the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development" rel="noreferrer noopener" dir="ltr">Agile </a>process in Project Management, which is being used to manage and deliver the project by performing small tasks. Agile is a popular development methodology widely used by development teams.It is an easy-to-understand and very productive process. It doesn’t create any dependencies between the team members. So that members can do their work without wasting any time.At the end of this article, you will come to know about the flow of the Agile process. Ok so, Let’s start:<div data-htoc-state="expanded">Table of Contents</div><h2 dir="ltr">1. What is Agile?</h2>Agile means “Division of tasks into short phases of work and frequent reassessment and adaptation of plans.”Agile is a methodology that delivers software or value incrementally from the start of the project instead of all at once at the end. It’s an iterative and time-boxed model based on the demands of customers by rapid delivery of working software products.<figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile.png" alt="agile" width="373" height="279" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile.png 783w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile-300x225.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile-768x575.png 768w"><figcaption dir="auto">Agile Cycle</figcaption></figure>It works by breaking projects down into small tasks of user functionality called user stories, which can be prioritized according to the client’s demand and continuously delivering them in a short two weeks of cycles called Sprints (Iterations).<h2 dir="ltr">2. How is Agile different from the traditional model? </h2><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile-vs-traditional-project-management-1024x736.png" alt="agile-vs-traditional-project-management" width="408" height="293" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile-vs-traditional-project-management-1024x736.png 1024w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile-vs-traditional-project-management-300x216.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile-vs-traditional-project-management-768x552.png 768w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile-vs-traditional-project-management.png 1200w"></figure><table class="has-fixed-layout" dir="ltr"><thead dir="ltr"><tr dir="ltr"><th dir="ltr">Traditional Model (Waterfall)</th><th dir="ltr">Agile Model</th></tr></thead><tbody dir="ltr"><tr dir="ltr"><td dir="ltr">In the traditional method (Waterfall Model), we can initiate the process only when one stage will complete. It doesn’t follow continuous development.</td><td dir="ltr">In the Agile model, Analysis, Design, coding, testing is continuous activities.</td></tr><tr dir="ltr"><td dir="ltr">If requirement changes then, it is hard to do again from the initial stage.</td><td dir="ltr">In this, as we have already divided into small tasks, so it would be easy for the developers to change the requirements in a short time.</td></tr><tr dir="ltr"><td dir="ltr">It depends on the&nbsp;requirement analysis and planning&nbsp;done at the beginning of the cycle.</td><td dir="ltr">Agile uses an&nbsp;adaptive approach&nbsp;there is clarity on future tasks only in respect of what features need to be developed.</td></tr><tr dir="ltr"><td dir="ltr">The risk of failure is high, any changes to be incorporated go through strict change control management.</td><td dir="ltr">Minimal Risk, the team certainly changes the requirement without any failure of the whole feature.</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 dir="ltr">3. Key Concepts of Agile</h2>There are some key concepts that you need to understand, the terms used in the agile methodologies are:<h3 dir="ltr">1. User Stories</h3>User stories are the product features, requirements that can add value to the customer. As a user, we need to describe what I want, why, who, acceptance criteria, and Story points.The stories can be taken in active sprints according to priorities and requirements. The remaining user stories are available in the product backlog list, which can be further taken in other sprints.<h3 dir="ltr">2. Story Points</h3>Story points are a relative unit of measure which tells us that the story is big or small. You can use different scales to measure the story, for example 1, 3, 5, 8, 13 (Fibonacci series), which defines the complexity level of the story.<h3 dir="ltr">3. Product Backlog</h3>An ordered list of everything (all features, requirements, tasks) which is needed in the product.<h3 dir="ltr">4. Sprint Backlog</h3>The list of features that are selected to be delivered in the sprint over the period.<h3 dir="ltr">5. Defects</h3>Defects are the failure of the product requirements that usually occur after testing the product requirement mismatch. A bug or defect is stored in the Product Backlog for sequencing and scheduling.<h3 dir="ltr">6. Velocity</h3>A number of story points that are to be delivered at the end of the sprint are called Velocity in agile.The story points define the capacity of the team to deliver stories in the sprint.<h3 dir="ltr">7. Swimlanes</h3>A visual representation of the story vs the status of Kanban/Agile board.<h3 dir="ltr">8. Minimum Viable Product (MVP)</h3>A minimal product that meets the client’s expectations, the MVP can help the product team receive user feedback as quickly as possible to iterate and improve the product.<h3 dir="ltr">9. Release</h3>It contains of several iterations or sprints.<figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/velocity_chart-1024x440.png" alt="velocity graph" width="449" height="193" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/velocity_chart-1024x440.png 1024w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/velocity_chart-300x129.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/velocity_chart-768x330.png 768w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/velocity_chart-1536x659.png 1536w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/velocity_chart.png 1549w"><figcaption dir="auto">Velocity Graph</figcaption></figure><h2 dir="ltr">4. The Agile Team</h2>In Agile, there are three main roles:<BLOCKQUOTE>Product Owner<cite dir="ltr">They are the end-users who define what stories are more valuable and prioritized. They will create the stories (Owner of the backlog) and describes the features or requirements they want in the product.</cite></BLOCKQUOTE><BLOCKQUOTE>Scrum Master<cite dir="ltr">The one who knows about Agile and the flow process is Scrum Master. He/She has the responsibility to initiate team meetings, interacting with clients, schedule daily standup meetings. They have the responsibility to clear any blockage in the story or task from the client side. Scrum Master ensures the team remains on track.</cite></BLOCKQUOTE><BLOCKQUOTE>Delivery TeamMost of the people are falling down in the Delivery Team. Implementation of the stories is to be done by a delivery team that includes Developers, Testers, Business Analysts, Team Lead, etc. They define what user stories are part of the sprint.</BLOCKQUOTE><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/scrumteam.png" alt="scrum team" width="449" height="219" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/scrumteam.png 822w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/scrumteam-300x146.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/scrumteam-768x374.png 768w"><figcaption dir="auto">The Agile Team</figcaption></figure><h2 dir="ltr">5. Agile Rituals</h2>You should follow some methodologies in agile for smooth process. Here are:Sprint PlanningThe planning of sprints has been facilitated by Scrum Master, where all team members are participating. The meeting where the team can decide which story or task they are going to take in the upcoming sprint. It includes the priorities, story points, and any dependency from the owner’s side.After deciding the stories, it should be placed on the agile to-do board, which includes Analysis, In Progress, In Review, QA, Ready for Release… these all are the various stages that need to be performed by the team members.<figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_board-1024x626.png" alt="agile_board" width="449" height="274" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_board-1024x626.png 1024w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_board-300x183.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_board-768x469.png 768w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/agile_board.png 1044w"><figcaption dir="auto">Agile Board</figcaption></figure>Daily Stand-upsThe team needs to do a daily stand-up meeting (a small meeting) of around 15 minutes where people standups near the Agile/Kanban Board.In this meeting, everyone needs to give their updates like what they did yesterday, what they will be doing today, share blockage or dependency with the team (if any). The delivery team and Scrum Master are part of this stand-up meet.Sprint ReviewIt is the showcase or demo session, where the team presents what they have delivered over the sprint. Generally, it happens between the Team and the Product Owner, but before presenting in front of the owner, you need to do one internal demo session to make it clear what things you show to them (Owner).<figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sprint_review.png" alt="sprint_review" width="444" height="312" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sprint_review.png 590w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sprint_review-300x211.png 300w"></figure>RetrospectivesThis meeting can be done after the Sprints to Review, Revise &amp; Adjust. In this meeting team has discussed on feedbacks:<BLOCKQUOTE>What went well?How can we improve more? If something did not go well.What should you do differently in the upcoming sprints?</BLOCKQUOTE><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/retrospective_meeting.png" alt="retrospective_meeting" width="449" height="449" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/retrospective_meeting.png 512w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/retrospective_meeting-300x170.png 300w"></figure><h2 dir="ltr">6. Benefits of Agile Model</h2>We have already discussed the Model, but what are the benefits we have after using it? Agile methods are being widely accepted in the software world. And it is used in most IT organizations and small companies also.It saves our time and makes us better understand the requirement, which leads us to avoid going in the wrong direction. It is an easy and iterative process. Ok, so let’s have a look at some of the benefits:<BLOCKQUOTE>Easy to manage the tasks.It is fast, which means the development life cycle takes less time.Delivers early partial working solutions.There is transparency between the team and clients. Clients have the opportunity to get easily involved throughout the project.Focuses on Business Value, the team understands what is most important to the Client’s Business and would be delivered the features that provide or focused on more Business value.It improves qualities by breaking down the project into manageable units so the project team can focus on high-quality development, testing, and collaboration.It gives flexibility to developers.</BLOCKQUOTE><h2 dir="ltr">7. Agile Tools</h2>So there are a lot of tools available that use for Agile Projects. Here is a list of great tools which you can use for your Agile projects. Many of them are completely free!You can checkout the official websites by clicking on the images.<figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jira-Software@2x-blue-1024x134.png" alt="jira" width="270" height="270" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jira-Software@2x-blue-1024x134.png 1024w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jira-Software@2x-blue-300x39.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jira-Software@2x-blue.png 1168w"></figure><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Trello-logo-blue.svg_-1024x315.png" alt="trello" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Trello-logo-blue.svg_-1024x315.png 1024w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Trello-logo-blue.svg_-300x92.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Trello-logo-blue.svg_-768x236.png 768w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Trello-logo-blue.svg_-1536x472.png 1536w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Trello-logo-blue.svg_.png 2000w"></figure><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asana-logo-1024x255.png" alt="asana" width="187" height="187" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asana-logo-1024x255.png 1024w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asana-logo-300x75.png 300w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asana-logo-768x192.png 768w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asana-logo-1536x383.png 1536w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asana-logo-2048x511.png 2048w"></figure><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/basecamp.png" alt="basecamp" width="203" height="203" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/basecamp.png 473w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/basecamp-300x68.png 300w"></figure><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Freedcamp_Logo-e1618484673564.png" alt="Freedcamp" width="251" height="251"></figure><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/MicrosoftPlanner-Logo.png" alt="MicrosoftPlanner" width="144" height="144" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/MicrosoftPlanner-Logo.png 412w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/MicrosoftPlanner-Logo-300x112.png 300w"></figure><figure><img src="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/craft.png" alt="craft" width="145" height="145" srcset="https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/craft.png 374w, https://sidtechtalks.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/craft-300x108.png 300w"></figure>I recommend you to use JIRA if you have enough budget to buy because this is one of the popular and best Agile tools among all. Also, if you want to use the free tool, then go for Trello.So, that’s all about the Agile Methodology in Project Management which helps project teams deal with many of the most common project pitfalls (such as cost, schedule predictability, and scope) in a more controlled manner.Hope you like it <img alt="👍" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f44d.svg" width="17" height="17"> and if you find this useful then don’t forget to share this with your friends or on social media. And If you have any queries, please do ask in the comments section or anything that you want through mail then&nbsp;<a href="https://sidtechtalks.in/contact-us/" dir="ltr">contact</a>.Thanks.<img alt="😊" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f60a.svg" width="17" height="17">Also read

Agile Methodology use to manage and deliver the Project by dividing big tasks. It is an easy and helpful process in project management.

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Today, we will talk about the <a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agile </a>process in Project Management, which is being used to manage and deliver the project by performing small tasks. Agile is a popular development methodology widely used by development teams.

It is an easy-to-understand and very productive process. It doesn’t create any dependencies between the team members. So that members can do their work without wasting any time.

At the end of this article, you will come to know about the flow of the Agile process. Ok so, Let’s start:

Agile means “Division of tasks into short phases of work and frequent reassessment and adaptation of plans.”

Agile is a methodology that delivers software or value incrementally from the start of the project instead of all at once at the end . It’s an iterative and time-boxed model based on the demands of customers by rapid delivery of working software products.

It works by breaking projects down into small tasks of user functionality called user stories , which can be prioritized according to the client’s demand and continuously delivering them in a short two weeks of cycles called Sprints (Iterations).

2.  How is Agile different from the traditional model?

There are some key concepts that you need to understand, the terms used in the agile methodologies are:

User stories are the product features, requirements that can add value to the customer. As a user, we need to describe what I want, why, who, acceptance criteria, and Story points.

The stories can be taken in active sprints according to priorities and requirements. The remaining user stories are available in the product backlog list, which can be further taken in other sprints.

Story points are a relative unit of measure which tells us that the story is big or small . You can use different scales to measure the story, for example 1, 3, 5, 8, 13 (Fibonacci series), which defines the complexity level of the story.

An ordered list of everything (all features, requirements, tasks) which is needed in the product.

The list of features that are selected to be delivered in the sprint over the period.

Defects are the failure of the product requirements that usually occur after testing the product requirement mismatch. A bug or defect is stored in the Product Backlog for sequencing and scheduling.

A number of story points that are to be delivered at the end of the sprint are called Velocity in agile.

The story points define the capacity of the team to deliver stories in the sprint.

A visual representation of the story vs the status of Kanban/Agile board.

A minimal product that meets the client’s expectations, the MVP can help the product team receive user feedback as quickly as possible to iterate and improve the product.

It contains of several iterations or sprints.

In Agile, there are three main roles:

Most of the people are falling down in the Delivery Team. Implementation of the stories is to be done by a delivery team that includes Developers, Testers, Business Analysts, Team Lead, etc. They define what user stories are part of the sprint.

You should follow some methodologies in agile for smooth process. Here are:

Sprint Planning

The planning of sprints has been facilitated by Scrum Master, where all team members are participating. The meeting where the team can decide which story or task they are going to take in the upcoming sprint. It includes the priorities, story points, and any dependency from the owner’s side.

After deciding the stories, it should be placed on the agile to-do board , which includes Analysis, In Progress, In Review, QA, Ready for Release… these all are the various stages that need to be performed by the team members.

Daily Stand-ups

The team needs to do a daily stand-up meeting (a small meeting) of around 15 minutes where people standups near the Agile/Kanban Board.

In this meeting, everyone needs to give their updates like what they did yesterday ,what they will be doing today , share blockage or dependency with the team (if any). The delivery team and Scrum Master are part of this stand-up meet.

It is the showcase or demo session , where the team presents what they have delivered over the sprint. Generally, it happens between the Team and the Product Owner, but before presenting in front of the owner, you need to do one internal demo session to make it clear what things you show to them (Owner).

This meeting can be done after the Sprints to Review, Revise &amp; Adjust. In this meeting team has discussed on feedbacks:

How can we improve more? If something did not go well.

What should you do differently in the upcoming sprints?

We have already discussed the Model, but what are the benefits we have after using it? Agile methods are being widely accepted in the software world. And it is used in most IT organizations and small companies also.

It saves our time and makes us better understand the requirement, which leads us to avoid going in the wrong direction. It is an easy and iterative process. Ok, so let’s have a look at some of the benefits:

Easy to manage the tasks.

It is fast , which means the development life cycle takes less time.

Delivers early partial working solutions.

There is transparency between the team and clients. Clients have the opportunity to get easily involved throughout the project.

Focuses on Business Value , the team understands what is most important to the Client’s Business and would be delivered the features that provide or focused on more Business value.

It improves qualities by breaking down the project into manageable units so the project team can focus on high-quality development, testing, and collaboration.

It gives flexibility to developers.

So there are a lot of tools available that use for Agile Projects. Here is a list of great tools which you can use for your Agile projects. Many of them are completely free!

You can checkout the official websites by clicking on the images.

I recommend you to use JIRA if you have enough budget to buy because this is one of the popular and best Agile tools among all. Also, if you want to use the free tool, then go for Trello.

So, that’s all about the Agile Methodology in Project Management which helps project teams deal with many of the most common project pitfalls (such as cost, schedule predictability, and scope) in a more controlled manner.

and if you find this useful then don’t forget to share this with your friends or on social media. And If you have any queries, please do ask in the comments section or anything that you want through mail then <a dir="ltr" href="https://sidtechtalks.in/contact-us/">contact </a> .

Understanding Agile Methodology in Project Management - SidTechTalks

Agile Methodology

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