Agile methologies outside software development
Reading comprehension level: intermediate above (professional English and English for IT)
Since 2001 when Agile values and principles were formalized in the Agile Manifesto, Agile has become the standard process for software development. Studies show that about a third of all software projects use some form of Agile methodology.
Though Agile was created with software in mind, non-tech teams have begun adopting Agile. A notable example is NPR has used Agile to reduce programming costs by up to 66%. Like the folks at NPR, many non-tech teams have found that employing an Agile mindset and using Agile practices can help their team or business get more done, make their customers happier, and make their teams more collaborative.
The General Principles of the Agile Method are:
· Satisfy the client and continually develop software.
· Changing requirements are embraced for the client’s competitive advantage.
· Concentrate on delivering working software frequently. Delivery preference will be placed on the shortest possible time span.
· Developers and business people must work together throughout the entire project.
· Projects must be based on people who are motivated. Give them the proper environment and the support that they need. They should be trusted to get their jobs done.
· Face-to-face communication is the best way to transfer information to and from a team.
What are some examples of Agile concepts being successfully used outside of IT/software product development?
What are some examples of Agile concepts being successfully used outside of IT/software product development?
Then I would say that agile is becoming very common in proposition design, product design, and general product/system support. Here are three specific areas/practices:
1. Design Sprints: The Google Ventures people have recently popularized these and they have several examples where the core business wasn’t software development. In one sprint, they developed a new service design/merchandising strategy for Blue Bottle coffee. In another, they developed an interface for people who assess the relevance of available clinical trials for cancer patients.
There’s so much to building a successful piece of software that is outside the process of actually writing code. I’m a big fan of using well validated practices like design thinking, Lean Startup, and various UX/HCD practices but I do organize them into a framework I call Venture Design:
As you can see, most of this activity is outside actual coding. When I work with teams to execute this, we often use design sprints, a week long format where you do design research to make sure you’re solving a relevant problem for a real customer, a week long format where you test the value of your particular proposition for them (ala Lean Startup), a week where you assess the usability of alternative approaches to your interface(s), and a week where you look at architecture alternatives. Only one of these (the architecture sprint) has a lot of pre-existing work in the traditional agile domain.
2. ‘Growth Hacking’: As marketing/promotion becomes more about product integration, analytics, and things that general dovetail with software, those teams are increasingly using agile or agile derivatives.
3. Devops and Continuous Delivery: This is basically the operations/systems/sysadmin/QA community’s answer to agile for their area. It deals with improving outcomes between dev., ops, and test through interdisciplinary collaboration and a few other emerging practices.
Conclusion:
These examples are good and represent a diverse set of applications. So, if you want to use agile, you will need to think more carefully and be prepared for more risks. But it is also means there is greater potential benefit as adopting agile could carry a bigger reward for your organisation just because your competitors aren’t using it.
Sources:
https://www.agileconnection.com/article/does-agile-work-outside-software
Text adapted by Comfy Languages Team
Activity created by Comfy Languages Team
Reading comprehension activity. Choose T (true) or F (false) for each statement. Then check your answers with the key below.
(1). The Agile methodology is now used on most software developing projects
(2). Agile only really works well within the tech industry
(3). Within the principles of the Agile method the best way to share information is online
(4). Google have been using Agile in new ways
(5). People working in marketing are increasingly using Agile
(6). Agile can be less risky than other methodologies
Answer key:
(1). FALSE - “Studies show that about a third of all software projects use some form of Agile methodology”
(2). FALSE - “many non-tech teams have found that employing an Agile mindset and using Agile practices can help their team”
(3). FALSE - “Face-to-face communication is the best way to transfer information to and from a team.”
(4). TRUE - “1. Design Sprints: The Google Ventures people have recently popularized these”
(5). TRUE - “ As marketing/promotion becomes more about product integration, analytics, and things that general dovetail with software, those teams are increasingly using agile or agile derivatives”
(6). FALSE - “and be prepared for more risks“