The Vital Role of Developers in Agile Project Success: Setting Expectations and Building Transparency
Eldon Elledge
Director of Software Engineering | SaaS & Cloud Technologies | Servant Leadership & Team Scaling | Certified Scrum Master | Agile & CI/CD Expert | Driving Innovation in Software Development
Happy Monday, LinkedIn community! ?? Today, I'd like to touch upon a critical aspect of the Agile and Scrum methodologies in software development that is often overlooked - the key role developers play in shaping project success through active participation in story grooming, acceptance criteria establishment, and expectation setting.
Agile principles emphasize a collaborative approach where each team member, including developers, product owners, and business stakeholders, contributes to the project's evolution. This dynamic fosters a more nuanced understanding of project goals, facilitates transparency, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.
One standout case comes from a previous company. Initially, the team faced challenges in delivering features on time, as deadlines were being set without developers' input on feasibility or effort estimation. However, a change in approach resulted in improved delivery rates. Developers began actively participating in story grooming sessions, and only when acceptance criteria were clearly defined and agreed upon did the features move forward. This approach ensured that developers had a full understanding of the work ahead, while business stakeholders gained a realistic view of delivery timelines.
Here are three critical takeaways from this experience:
1?? Collaborative Grooming: Developers' participation in grooming sessions ensures a more comprehensive understanding of feature requirements and expectations. Developers, who will be executing the work, are best positioned to raise questions, identify potential blockers, and provide accurate effort estimates.
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2?? Establishing Acceptance Criteria: Before work commences, it's crucial to define and agree on clear acceptance criteria. This step minimizes ambiguities, aligns all parties on expected outcomes, and sets the stage for efficient and effective development cycles.
3?? Setting Expectations: It's essential for developers and business teams to understand each other's perspectives and constraints. This understanding allows for realistic deadlines, ensures that Business does not set timelines without developers' input, and empowers developers to push back when necessary.
In conclusion, creating a more inclusive and collaborative environment where developers actively engage in planning and decision-making processes can significantly enhance project success. Here's to fostering a work culture that values input from all team members and promotes transparent and realistic goal-setting!
Do you have any success stories or lessons learned from adopting similar approaches? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments!