INDIVIDUAL AND GROUPWORK 1).

Explore topics in Agile Software Development and Scrum to learn more about how these methodologies can improve your products and make the process more efficient. Write a two page summary of your findings and upload in iFolio. I may select a few students to present in the class.WWW.SCRUMALLIANCE.ORG

Agile Software Development In software application development, agile software development is a methodology for the creative process that anticipates the need for flexibility and applies a level of pragmatism into the delivery of the finished product. Agile software development focuses on keeping code simple, testing often, and delivering functional bits of the application as soon as they're ready. It is a conceptual framework that promotes foreseen interactions throughout the development cycle. The goal of agile software development is to build upon small client-approved parts as the project progresses, as opposed to delivering one large application at the end of the project. The most popular agile methodologies include Extreme Programming (XP), Scrum, Crystal, Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), Lean Development, and Feature-Driven Development (FDD). They all basically incorporate iteration and the continuous feedback that it provides to successively filter and deliver a software system. They all involve continuous planning, continuous testing, continuous integration, and other forms of continuous evolution of both the project and the software. They are all lightweight, especially compared to traditional waterfall-style processes, and inherently adaptable. What is more important about agile methods is that they all focus on empowering people to work together and make decisions together quickly and effectively.

Scrum Usually, Scrum project management is a software agile development process. Scrum models allow projects to divide into short and snappy work sprint, called agile sprints. Each sprint is usually two to four weeks. Sprint planning in the agile methodology and Scrum process is important. The agile Scrum methodology can be used for managing any project. Scrum agile process is suitable for projects with speedily changing or emergent needs such as software. A classic scrum team has between five and nine people. However, it does not include any of the traditional software engineering roles such as designer, architect, or programmer. Everyone in the team works together to complete the work they have collectively committed to complete within a sprint. Scrum teams develop a deep form of friendship and a feeling that were all in this together. Sprint planning meeting is the first activity of each sprint in the Scrum model. The product owner and team talk about the highest priority objects on the Scrum product backlog during the meeting. While the team members will tell how many subjects they can commit to, and then create a sprint backlog which is a list of the tasks to perform during the sprint.
Key features of Scrum:

Cross-functional, self-organizing teams. Predictable rhythm. Measurable productivity Regular feedback from customer. Stress on face-to-face communication. High visibility of progress. Inspect and adapt.

Benefits of Scrum:

More efficient. Work done will better meet the customers needs. Project can respond easily to change. Customer gets most beneficial work first. Identify problems earlier. Ability to maintain a predictable schedule for delivery.