intelliware.ca: custom business software.
Always lead.

 

Home

Mission

XP/Agile




Click to see the XML version of this web page.

Click here to send an email to the editor of this weblog. 		 
 

Agile Methods Primer

As practioners of Agile methods for software development, we often get asked the question, "Just what exactly is a an Agile approach to software development?".  This document will hopefully help to provide an answer to that question.

The pioneering Agile method, and the one Intelliware is most familiar with, is Extreme Programming (XP).  XP consists of twelve practices and emphasizes values of communication and group work. 

extremeprogramming.org: "XP improves a software project in four essential ways; communication, simplicity,feedback, and courage. XP programmers communicate with their customers and fellow programmers. They keep their design simple and clean. They get feedback by testing their software starting on day one. They deliver the system to the customers as early as possible and implement changes as suggested. With this foundation XP programmers are able to courageously respond to changing requirements and technology."

There is an excellent XP roadmap at Ward Cunningham's Wiki site.  It has loads of information about XP from a number of different angles.  Other useful XP links include a very active discussion group,  and Ron Jeffries' xprogramming.com.

Around the same time as XP (late 1990's), some other software development approaches began to emerge that shared similar philosphies.  These approaches include Crystal, Scrum, Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), Adaptive Software Development (ASD), Feature Driven Development (FDD), and Pragmatic Programming.  All approaches share ideas around code-centric development, closer ties to the end user, and a common sense responsiveness to customer needs.  Martin Fowler offers an excellent summary of the thinking behind the evolution towards agile methods in his article: The New Methodology.

In early 2000, the practioners and pioneers of these various approaches got together to form the "Agile Alliance".   From their Manifesto:

  • Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
  • Working software over comprehensive documentation
  • Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
  • Responding to change over following a plan

Think common sense, pragmatic, non-bureacratic, and responsive -- that's what is behind these different approaches.

Click here to visit the Radio UserLand website. © Copyright 2002 Intelliware Development Inc..
Last update: 3/21/2002; 10:44:54 AM.