White Paper on Agile vs Waterfall, uncertainty and open loops

I've just finished a white paper that I've been wanting to write for a while on the differences between Agile and waterfall project management methods. The perception of many people who are new to Agile is that it actually makes the outcome of projects more uncertain, rather than less.

This is absolutely not true, but I think that sometimes, we don't do a good enough job of convincing people.

Lets Not Start at the Very Beginning (pdf, html)

For further information, contact Mark@agilelab.co.uk (07736 807 604) or Matt@agilelab.co.uk (07713 634 830)

5 Ways Agile Methods Help you Save Money on Software Development

1. Agile methods emphasize working software at the end of each iteration - conventional methods don't

This means that, if you're a client, after the end of each iteration, which might be a week or a month, you will have some tested, working software, which you can use in your business.

2. Agile methods prioritise aspects of development - they deliver the valuable stuff first

Using stories - short descriptions of the functionality that you want - rather than enormous, detailed, specification documents, Agile allows the client to work with the developers to prioritise which stories they should work on first. This means that at any point on an Agile project, the developers are working on the software that is of most value to you and your business. It also means that stories that consistently end up without high priority can be discarded.

3. You can change your mind while you still have time and money

Because development is done in short iterations, you can change the direction of development after each iteration. If new functionality/new stories are required they can be exchanged for old stories. By adding some new stories and re-prioritising some old ones, changes in functionality needn't cost extra cash.

4. If the developers get the wrong end of the stick, there's still time and money to put it right

If you've had any experience of software development, you'll probably have experienced that awful moment when the developers show you what they've done and your heart sinks. You think to yourself - "That's not what I wanted at all!". Agile doesn't promise that this will never happen, it just gives you lots more chances to put it right - and a chance to put it right before all the money is spent and time has run out. One way of thinking of Agile is that it moves difficult conversations to the places where they are most effective - and cost effective.

5. Agile saves developers money as well as clients

Agile gives developers a chance to test their understanding of what the client wants at regular intervals throughout the lifetime of a project - rather than in one very awkward conversation at the end of a project. This greatly increases the chances that the software you're working on is something that your client actually wants rather than just a waste of your time.

If you want to know more about how Agile Lab can help your company save money using Agile methods, email mark@agilelab.co.uk

Introduction to Agile Training Course in Central London

We will be running our "Introduction to Agile Methods" one-day training course in Central London on Tuesday 3rd March 2009. The course will be run in conjunction with New Media Knowledge (NMK).

For further information, contact Mark@agilelab.co.uk (07736 807 604) or Matt@agilelab.co.uk (07713 634 830)

What we do - Agile Consulting

Which parts of your company would benefit most from the introduction of Agile methods? What aspects of Agile methodology would deliver value the quickest? Are Agile methods even right for your company at all?

Some managers are scared by what they've heard about Agile methods, they fear that Agile methods mean allowing teams to do whatever they like and to make it up as they go along. In fact, the reality is quite the opposite. Agile methods make a team far more response to the needs of management. Agile methods actually increase management control. They also make it easier for managers to report to their managers and to be confident in what they are saying rather than being forced to rely on vague promises.

The danger when looking for help from an Agile consultant is that you will find one who is tied - either philosophically or contractually, to one specific Agile methodology. The danger is that when you look for an Agile consultant you will end up paying a made-to-measure price for and off-the-peg solution.

Agile Lab draws on the years of experience of its consultants in development and project management, but it always looks at every new case as fresh and different. Together with our customers, either in the UK or abroad, Agile Lab works to understand the best way to introduce Agile methods. They can also work with you to explain the benefits, both to your staff and to your senior management and your board.

Finally Agile Lab can deliver the introduction of Agile methods, and their tangible and measurable benefits and roll them out through your organisation.

What we do - Agile Consulting - Talking To People

A large part of what we do when we do Agile consulting is talk to people. Talk to people from all parts of an organisation and find out what they do. One of the things that never ceases to amaze me is how much you can learn by just spending a day or so talking to people about what they do. Everybody loves to talk about their work. And very often, as people are talking about the work and the problems that they face, very often solutions emerge. All they needed was to talk to someone who wasn't in their situation. The very effort of trying to explain things to a stranger puts their problems in a different light.

Agile Lab can help your company. The best first step might be talking to your people.

For further information, contact Mark@agilelab.co.uk (07736 807 604) or Matt@agilelab.co.uk (07713 634 830)