Agile Methodology: What is it and what is it for?

Companies that are committed to a complete digital transformation end up including, implementing and developing the Agile methodology in their departments to offer the customer a higher quality service and at lower costs. Designed to carry out flexible projects, the agile methodologies they have been part of life, culture and in general the computer world for some time, however, today it is possible to observe mass adoption in this and in any other sector or industry. In this post we will delve into this methodology, its origins and the benefits it has for a company.

What is the Agile methodology?

La Agile methodology It is the one that allows the form of work to be adapted to the conditions of the project, thus providing flexibility and promptness in communicating with the client to adapt the project and its development to the specific circumstances of the environment. 'agile' we understand working methods where requirements and solutions evolve over time (they don't get stuck in the initial planning) according to the needs of each project, the workers are organized in a way multidisciplinary and self-organized in efficient and flexible teams to plan the workflow, there is a shared decision-making process and projects are managed flexibly, autonomously, effectively, reducing costs and increasing productivity.

Where does the Agile concept come from?

Agile is a philosophy that was born more than 10 years ago by the giants of software, specifically in February 2001, when seventeen CEOs of the main developing companies of software the best practices of each company were brought together and shared. The result was the “Agile Manifesto”, a document in favor of agile methodologies of action, or in other words, continuous improvement models in which it is planned, created, tested and improved, and so on. This sheet was what gave rise to The Agile methodology, which mainly claims four values:

1. Las people's interactions about processes and tools.
2. Un software operationalized in the face of exhaustive documentation.
3. La active customer participation throughout the development process.
4. La responsiveness in the face of changes and unforeseen events.

From these four values derive the twelve basic postulates of the manifesto that defend aspects such as customer satisfaction, efficient face-to-face communication, fast deliveries on short time scales, periodic reviews, simplicity as an essential principle, continuous attention as technical excellence, sustainable development and adaptation or capacity to self-correct and face difficulties. Before the existence of this concept, when a company wanted to carry out a new project, linear processes were launched, also known as cascade methods or Waterfall, who planned the work from the beginning, with no room for unforeseen events, taking one or two years to deliver the product and with a high risk of not adapting to the customer's final demand. When this happened, it was impossible to react in time, so we opted for emergency solutions, or even starting the project from scratch. This type of method, with such strict initial planning, they did not allow work teams to adapt or react to new requests, so they were not effective in a sector in which more and more radical changes are taking place. Agility, on the other hand, is constant and fast, maintaining the ability to make the best decision at all times without compromising the final project and offering reduced delivery times who seek to avoid dispersion and focus all attention on the same task.

How does the Agile methodology work?

We are talking about a formula that provides speed and flexibility to the development of each project, but the question is: how do you do it? The most important thing is the form of Organize the work, because instead of approaching it as a whole from the beginning, it cuts it into smaller parts to, in the end, recompose it completely. Another of the most characteristic features is the execution of the different tasks by multidisciplinary teams that work together, side by side throughout the process, and that must have a high degree of motivation and autonomy.Dividing the work into small parts implies that unforeseen events affect a single part of the whole, which can be rectified in a short time, and with the collaboration of the entire team, speed, fluidity and dynamism will be achieved, resulting in an enriched project thanks to the personal contributions of both. In addition, agile teams convene Daily meetings calls Dailys in which each member must explain what tasks they have completed, which are in process and if there have been any problems that have prevented them from moving forward. These sessions, held first thing in the morning, ensure that all members are aware of The phase the project is in and The tasks in which they have to intervene to carry it out; and they are very productive because they redirect, day by day, work capacity to pending tasks, avoiding wasting time, in addition to encouraging cohesion, participation and involvement of the team in the project, making them feel that the achievement belongs to all those involved. In this way, and together with the quick deliveries, the resulting product It matches the millimeter with what the customer demands.

Advantages of implementing Agile methodology in a business

The main advantage offered by agile methodologies is that they are formulas that allow you to change the properties of each phase of the project, being able to react to unforeseen events according to the objectives and needs of the customer, and who are aimed at obtaining tangible results right from the start. What does all this mean? In this type of methodology, the final project is never designed or planned in advance, but rather, in phases, it evolves, based on feedback loops. We work for periods, called sprints, which usually last a few weeks, during which each member performs a series of tasks. Once completed, the progress is delivered, the client sets new priorities or changes in the project and the next phase begins. The continuous interaction between the company and the customer has as its main objective ensure that the final product meets the requirements of the last. In short, digital transformation has meant that the Agile methodology is valid not only in the technology sector, but in almost all business areas, and it only requires one project, someone capable of implementing it and keeping in mind the principles of iteration, revision, adaptation and desire for constant improvement.