Agile Methods 101 Bar Camp 2007

Agile Methods 101 Diane Strode

Primary source
The agile methods : an analytical comparison of five agile methods and an investigation of their target environment.
Master of Information Sciences (Information Systems) Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Available: http://adt.caul.edu.au/

Proposed Agile Method First Published Journal Article Book 1 Dynamic Systems Development Method DSDM 1995 1997 2 Crystal methods Crystal 1998 2002 3 RUP (configured) dX 1998 4 Extreme Programming XP 1999 2000 5 Adaptive Software Development ASD 2000 6 Scrum Scrum 1999 2002 7 Pragmatic Programming PP 2000 8 Internet Speed Development ISD 1999 9 Agile Modeling AM 2002 10 Feature Driven Development FDD 2002 11 Open Source Software Development OSS 2002 12 Lean Development LD 2002 2003

Purpose
DSDM - a framework for RAD development
Scrum – a method for project management of iterative development
XP – a method for software development in high change environments using small teams and standard software engineering techniques to satisfy customer needs and maintain effective teams
ASD - a framework for managing software development projects that are under intense time pressure and have rapidly changing requirements. Based on complex adaptive systems theory. Uses RAD techniques
Crystal methods - for designing a methodology to suit a specific project

DSDM, XP, Scrum, ASD, Crystal Methods – common factors
Published between 1995 – 2002 in the USA and UK
Methods address business problems and provide technical solutions
Practitioner based
Project manager and developer perspective
Incremental development
Iterative development with 1 month iterations optimal
Projects undergoing constant change

DSDM, XP, Scrum, ASD, Crystal Methods – common factors
Active user involvement
Feedback and learning
Teamwork and empowered teams
Communication between all stakeholders is critical
Small teams of 3-10 programmers is optimal
Frequent meetings, daily is optimal
Working software is the main product of development
Modelling techniques are not mandated
Minimise documentation

Agile Method Combinations
Proposed by others
XP and Scrum
XP and Crystal methods
XP and ASD
XP and RUP
XP and DSDM
RUP and Scrum

Agile Method Combinations
Proposed from my research
DSDM – a framework – use with techniques from any other agile method (XP or Scrum)
XP and Scrum – XP provides software development techniques/Scrum provides management practices
XP and Crystal - XP acts as the base method which is tailored for each project using Crystal principles
Scrum, ASD and Crystal can use any software engineering techniques as long as those techniques achieve the goals of the methodology

When should you use an agile method?
Research study
Nine projects, different organisations, different types of organisation, questionnaire
Calculated agile method usage
Looked at correlation between agile method usage and factors in the development environment

Factors investigated
Organisation factors
social interaction is trustful, collaborative, competent…
Domain factors
Internet application domains …
Technological factors
automated testing, object-oriented technology…
Project factors
time pressure, requirements stability…
People factors
CRACK customers, experienced developers…

Target environment for agile methods
Statistically significant correlation between usage and factor for the following factors (about 32 factors were investigated)
1. The organisation values feedback and learning. Social interaction in the organisation is trustful, collaborative, and competent
2. The organisation values teamwork, is flexible and participative, and encourages social interaction. The project manager acts as a facilitator
3. The organisation enables empowerment of people
4. The management style is that of leadership and collaboration
5. The organisation is results oriented
6. Leadership in the organisation is entrepreneurial, innovative, and risk taking
7. The organisation is based on loyalty and mutual trust and commitment
8. Projects undergoing constant change

Is this generalisable, or cause and effect?
- No –
sample too small, as usual, further studies needed!
Keep in mind that you may have fewer problems using an agile method if these factors are present in your organisation or project

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Agile Methods 101 Bar Camp 2007

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