The Agile software development life cycle
As in all software development methodologies, there is a way of working commonly followed by Agile projects. This is known as the Agile software development life cycle.
There are six stages of the agile software development life cycle, which are…
Concept
During the first stage of the Agile SDLC, requirements, documentation, and plans are developed. As we have noted, the Agile approach is very collaborative so there will be a big focus on the client at this stage. One of the ultimate aims of Agile is to provide software clients with valuable software that meets their needs and requirements. Therefore, it is crucial to be clear on what these are before any work begins on the project.
Time, cost, and deadlines may also be considered and decided upon at this stage, with the client being consulted and informed at every step of the way.
Inception
Agile projects have specific roles, including scrum master. At the inception stage of the SDLC, these roles will be made clear to the members of the development team and whose responsibility is what will be decided upon and communicated. Agile projects rely heavily on teamwork and so making these roles clear is a key aspect of the process.
Iteration
The iteration stage of an Agile software development life cycle is arguably the most important. Agile projects are structured as a series of iterations in which work is designed, developed, tested, and given to stakeholders and clients for feedback and approval. This feedback is used to create the next iteration, which fixes any issues. This continues for the entirety of the project and ensures that the client is thoroughly involved with all work developed. It is a collaborative development progress that requires input and effort from both sides.
Release
The release phase of the agile SDLC includes quality assurance and testing to prepare the product for its final release to end users. After this testing, one final iteration of work is carried out to make sure that any last fixes are sorted before the product is deployed. As you can see, there are many steps of approval that allow the highest quality product to be created before anything is seen by end-users. This process is what sets Agile aside from other methodologies.
Maintenance
A live version of the product is being used by its target audience at this point in the project’s life cycle. However, the work is not finished yet. The development team will provide ongoing maintenance and support during this phase. They will verify that the system runs smoothly and check for bugs. On a more long-term basis, they may also work with updates, upgrades, and new features when necessary. Everything is put in place to make sure that the product developed continues to be of high value to its target user base both now and into the future.
Retirement
This final stage of the Agile life cycle may occur later in the future when a product needs to be replaced or it has become obsolete to its users. Depending on the situation, the software development company may be able to provide support in terms of closing down the system, removing customer support, and assisting with any data migration. Even when closing down a project, the Agile methodology offers collaboration and support.
