What is the Agile methodology?

Despite the technological changes and digital transformation processes we have seen in recent years, there are still many companies and businesses that find it hard to manage and develop their projects.

As we know, every project brings its own difficulties, which mean adding hours to the total we had originally quoted to our client.

This situation is very common in the world of software, app and website development. To tackle this, there is the Agile methodology, which helps us make the most of the hours spent on each project.

In this article we explain in detail what the Agile methodology is and why we should implement it.

What does the Agile methodology involve?

Agile is much more than a methodology that brings speed and flexibility to companies: we can think of it as a new way of working and organising the tasks of different projects within our team. The methodology is based on dividing projects into tasks to be completed in shorter periods of time.

What are its benefits?

The main advantages we gain by adopting the Agile methodology are:

1. Better quality and fewer errors

We achieve this thanks to constant communication between the members of the team working on the same project. In addition, with this cooperation we always know the client’s needs and the obstacles that arise during development. Whenever a problem arises, members must inform the rest of the team, so that the result is a high-quality, error-free project.

2. Greater client satisfaction

The client will be able to see at all times how the team is working and, as there is constant contact between client and developers, will be able to give feedback on the tasks as they are completed. We recommend informing the client at the end of each planned stage so that they know at all times which phases remain before the finished project can be delivered.

3. Greater team understanding and involvement

Every small part of the project is essential to its success. As contact is daily, seeing each member complete their assigned tasks creates a feeling of optimism. 

4. More speed, more efficiency and lower costs

All parts of the project are developed at the same time, with each team member assigned different tasks, so the project is finished faster and more efficiently. This way of working gives us the chance to carry out more projects, since we can deliver them in a shorter period of time.

5. Faster ROI

With this methodology, we can agree with the client to bill the project in stages, as each part is completed. It is a good way of increasing the project’s profitability while it is under way and, if we finish the project early, the return comes sooner.

6. Higher productivity

Implementing this way of organising work, in which we divide the project into small parts and the interaction within the team is constant, greatly improves productivity.

Who can apply the Agile methodology?

The Agile methodology was originally created for software development, but it can also be applied to all kinds of large companies, SMEs and freelance businesses.

With this in mind, if we want to adopt it, we need to follow these steps: identify the objectives, analyse the company culture, gauge the impact it will have on clients, determine the resources the company has and finally implement the methodology.