If you need to create your own online store, internet service or B2B portal, you need to choose a developer who will fulfill your order. Imagine that you have two information companies with approximately the same level of experience. Each has its own advantages, technologies and specialists… However, one of the two companies announces the following as a plus: "We work with Agile!"
First of all: what does Agile give the customer - increased profit or more hassle than usual?
Agile is a more flexible methodology used by developers. The whole process is divided into many small stages called sprints. Usually, a sprint lasts from a week to a month. The result of a sprint is always something that the customer can work with, called a product increment. Thanks to this, it is easier for the client to monitor the development throughout its duration. It is also easier to make adjustments based on the client's wishes and external factors, such as changing trends.
Next, let's talk about the advantages of using Agile.
1. No constant hassle
By using Agile, you can get rid of the technical specification (TS) as an integral and mandatory element of development. How is this possible? After all, it is the TS that usually contains explanations about why a particular component is needed, as well as a description of the overall concept.
If the client wants to follow the TS from the very beginning, this is understandable. But usually, the further you go, the more the downsides become apparent. After all, there is nowhere to hide, for example, from corrections during implementation. For example, when it comes to signing a contract with a system that requires integration, the team faces the fact that the situation has changed: the contract was signed not with the system they planned, but with another one, and the integration conditions are different. Or the situation on the market or within the customer's company has simply changed - and this has to be taken into account.
To follow a strict TS, several obstacles must be overcome:
- It is necessary to choose a developer who will execute your order if you need to create your own online store, internet service or B2B portal. Imagine that you have two information companies with approximately the same level of experience. Each has its own advantages, technologies and specialists... However, one of the two firms declares the following as a plus: "We work according to Agile!"
To start with: what does Agile give the customer - increased profit or more trouble than usual?
Agile is a more flexible methodology used by developers. The entire process is divided into many small stages, called sprints. Usually, a sprint lasts from a week to a month. The result of a sprint is always something with which the customer can already work, a so-called product increment. Thanks to this, it is easier for the client to monitor the development throughout its entire length. It is also easier to make adjustments along the way, based on the client's wishes and external factors, such as changing trends.
Next are the advantages of using Agile.
1. No constant hassle
By using the Agile approach, you can get rid of the technical specifications (TS) as an integral and mandatory element of development. How is this possible? After all, it is the TS that usually contains explanations about why a particular component is needed, as well as a description of the overall concept.
If the client wants to follow the TS from the very beginning, this is understandable. But usually the further you go, the more drawbacks become visible. After all, there is no way to avoid, for example, corrections during implementation. For example, when it comes to signing a contract with a system where integration is required, the team faces the fact that the situation has changed: the contract has been signed not with the system they planned, but with another, and the integration conditions are different. Or the situation has simply changed in the market or in the client's own company - and this must be taken into account.
To follow a strict TS, you have to overcome several obstacles:
When a minimally viable product (MVP) appears on the market, it is easier to adapt it to the needs of consumers.
Profit always remains in focus. By using MVP, you can immediately start making a profit and then increase it, more easily satisfying the demands of consumers.
Distinctive features of Agile in web development
Applied to this sphere, the approach provides the following advantages.
1. Regarding the product
Without Agile
You have to strictly follow a plan that includes:
- initial project date;
- project end date;
- project budget.
First, you need to assume what the ideal project should be (an online store, an application, a portal, and so on), then you need to create a specification for the developer. Only after the specification is implemented, you can start working on the product.
Gathering representatives from all departments of the company for demonstrations is not a problem solver. Real needs will only be reflected by end users. However, for a developer, following the specification will be the top priority, as meeting deadlines and staying within budget will be more important to them.
In practice, the technical specification (TS) almost always fails to take into account some important details. And while the developer is working, a more suitable competitive product appears on the market; market conditions change and the task becomes outdated.
With Agile
In fact, each sprint is already a separate mini-project. Its result is only a part of the intended functions, but they can already be used. Of course, the programmers themselves will not start working faster from this, but they will be able to deliver ready-to-use MVP much faster. By making a minimum version in one or two months, you can immediately start adjusting it, taking into account changes that have occurred in the market. The finished product will be much easier to make to meet consumer demands.
As soon as users test the capabilities of the MVP, they will provide feedback. If the product has significant shortcomings, they can be immediately taken into account and changes made or, if necessary, replaced with a new product. And this applies to each new version.
The Agile system is not called that for nothing (in English - agile, nimble). After all, the essence of the approach is the utmost flexibility, the ability to change and rebuild. Making changes is cheaper and easier. Correction is a normal thing, not something terrible and daunting for everyone. The product is made to be as responsive as possible to user requests. Feedback helps track this, from simple ratings and reviews to web analytics and usability studies.
2. In terms of process
Without Agile
Making development transparent and adaptable is initially difficult. After all, the client does not see what the contractor is producing throughout their work. The long-awaited product may turn out to be a disappointment in reality. But it is also impossible to interrupt the process in the middle - otherwise, it will turn out that time and money were wasted.
Correcting the technical task is costly and difficult. It is necessary to coordinate a voluminous document with all authorities, which is a hassle. Often, even compiling the initial technical task turns out to be so laborious that the client himself does not want to correct the document.
For the developer, the main priority is to strive to finish on time. Whether it will be difficult to make changes later is no longer important to him. This is one of the main drawbacks of the classical project approach.
With Agile
The final deadline is no longer the determining factor here. The priority is the product, which is gradually improved as needed. The process itself is much easier to adjust. It can even be stopped if necessary - then the result will be an increment, that is, an MVP that can already perform initial tasks.
Developers approach the task more responsibly. They have no desire just to meet the deadline. If something is done poorly, the developers themselves will have to deal with it - obviously, they are interested in trying to do everything well from the very beginning. After all, the contractor will continue to receive payment as long as he can confirm: yes, the product can still be made better.
When using the Agile approach, the customer and the developer interact through daily meetings. Feedback is quick, and the response to comments is also fast. Even if the client has no time to discuss the details, he receives a daily report from the developer and can study the data as soon as he has time.
3. By profit
An unprofitable project is the most serious failure. To avoid this, it is necessary to ensure that the product meets the needs of consumers.
Without Agile
High risk is inevitable. The customer spends resources for several months or even years developing a product that may not pay off in the end. And this can only be found out at the end.
With Agile
The team is immediately focused on the main goals. If fresh versions come out regularly, so does the feedback. Based on it, it is easier to adjust the product and increase its profitability.
Profitability is the main indicator of success. It is Agile that allows you to recoup financial and time investments with the greatest probability.