Iterative and Incremental Development
Agile projects are divided into small iterations or time-boxed development cycles, usually lasting 2-4 weeks, called sprints. Each sprint delivers a potentially shippable product increment, allowing for regular inspection and adaptation.
Collaboration and Communication
Agile emphasizes close collaboration among cross-functional teams, including developers, testers, designers, and business stakeholders. Daily stand-up meetings, regular reviews, and continuous communication are vital for transparency and quick issue resolution.
Customer Involvement
Customer feedback is actively sought and valued throughout the development process. Agile encourages customer involvement in defining requirements, prioritizing features, and reviewing and accepting increments of the product.
Adaptability and Flexibility
Agile embraces change and is designed to adapt to evolving requirements, even late in the development process. Changes are accommodated through regular reassessment and adjustment of priorities.
Cross Functional Teams
Agile teams are typically cross-functional, consisting of individuals with various skills necessary to deliver a complete product. This structure fosters a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for the success of the project.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery
Agile encourages continuous integration, where code changes from multiple contributors are integrated into a shared repository multiple times a day. Continuous Delivery allows for the rapid and reliable release of software in small increments.
Self-Organization and Empowerment
Agile teams are given the autonomy to self-organize and make decisions. This empowerment enhances motivation, creativity, and accountability among team members.
Prioritization and Focus on Value
Agile teams prioritize features based on their business value, enabling the delivery of the most valuable features early in the development process. This approach ensures that the delivered product aligns closely with customer needs and market demands.
Regular Reflection and Improvement
Agile encourages regular retrospectives to reflect on the team's performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Continuous improvement is a fundamental principle, with teams adapting their processes to become more effective over time.