Top 10 Agile Software Development Methodologies to Build a Great App

Software development is a complex and challenging process, and it is important to choose the right methodology for the job. Agile methodologies are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional waterfall methodologies. Agile methodologies are flexible and adaptable, which makes them ideal for projects with changing requirements. They also emphasise collaboration and communication, which can lead to better quality software.

In this article, we will give you a brief introduction about Agile methodologies, then discuss the top 10 agile software development methodologies for building robust apps. We will explore the benefits of each methodology and also discuss some of the challenges associated with agile development and provide tips for choosing your best among them.

1. What are Agile Methodologies?

1.1. Definition

Agile methodologies are a group of project management frameworks that emphasise flexibility, iterative development, and customer collaboration. They are often used in software development, but can be applied to any project where the requirements are constantly changing or where the team needs to be able to adapt to new information quickly.

1.2. 4 Key Values

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools: Agile teams value the interactions between people over the use of processes and tools. They believe that people are more important than processes and that the best way to get things done is to work together.
Working software over comprehensive documentation: Agile teams focus on delivering working software over creating comprehensive documentation. They believe that it is more important to get the software into the hands of users so that they can provide feedback and make improvements.
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation: Agile teams collaborate with customers throughout the development process. They believe that it is important to get customer feedback early and often so that the software can be developed to meet their needs.
Responding to change over following a plan: Agile teams are able to respond to change quickly and easily. They believe that it is more important to be able to adapt to change than to stick to a rigid plan.

1.3. 12 Principles

Customer satisfaction: The highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
Welcome changes: Even late in development, Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage.
Deliver frequently: Increments of functionality should be delivered frequently, from a few weeks to a few months, with a preference for shorter timescales.
Work together: Businesses and developers must work together daily throughout the project, this could reduce the risk of project development.
Motivated team: Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.
Face-to-face interactions: The most effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.
Working Software: Working software is often the best documentation. Project managers and businesses need to focus on minimising paperwork and maximising productivity.
Sustainable Development: Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
Technical excellence & Good design: The software development team should take time to review their code and make them better with each iteration, which will save them more time than cleaning up code later.
Simplicity: Keep things simple and minimise the time between comprehension and completion. Remember to avoid doing things that don’t matter
Self-organising teams: Teams should be allowed to self-organise around their work.
Inspect & Adapt: Identify and adjust the behaviour and process that most effectively enables them to deliver value to their customers.

2. How Agile Differ from Traditional Software Development Life Cycles (SDLCs)

In general, Agile and traditional software development life cycles (SDLCs) are two different approaches to software development. Agile methodologies are designed to be flexible and adaptable

Firstly, Agile methodologies emphasise iterative planning, where teams plan for the next sprint or iteration based on what they have learned in the previous sprint or iteration.

Secondly, Agile methodologies emphasise communication and collaboration between team members and stakeholders throughout the development process.

Thirdly, Agile methodologies typically produce less documentation than traditional SDLCs. Agile teams believe that working software is more important than documentation, and that documentation can be created as needed.

Moreover, Agile methodologies emphasise continuous testing, with teams testing their code frequently throughout the development process.

Lastly, Agile methodologies embrace change, and teams are expected to adapt to change quickly.

3. Top 10 Agile Software Development Methodologies

3.1. Agile-Waterfall

Agile-Waterfall is a hybrid methodology that combines elements of agile and waterfall development.

In agile-waterfall, the project is broken down into two phases: the waterfall phase and the agile phase. The waterfall phase is used to develop the known and stable requirements, while the agile phase is used to develop the unknown or likely-to-change requirements.

The waterfall phase is typically more traditional, with a more rigid plan and less communication between team members. The agile phase is typically more flexible, with more communication between team members and more frequent delivery of working software.

Here are some of the advantages of agile-waterfall:

Flexible Requirements
Balance
Included Traditional Approach

Here are some of the disadvantages of agile-waterfall:

Take a lot of effort
Less Collaboration
Difficult Tracking

Agile-Waterfall can be a good choice for projects which have hierarchical structures. You can use it to organise long-term planning, while dealing with the individual phases more flexibly.

3.2. Kanban

Kanban is a visual system for managing work. It is a popular agile methodology that is used in software development, but it can be applied to any project where there is a need to visualise work and limit work-in-progress.

Teams use Kanban boards to track a variety of types of work, including tasks, features, bugs and progress, and they can pull work from the board as they are ready to work on it. They can also be used to track work at different levels, from an individual task to an entire project. They typically have three columns: To Do, In Progress, Done.

Here are some of the benefits of using Kanban:

Visualisation.
Limiting work-in-progress
Improving efficiency
Collaboration

Meanwhile, the drawbacks of using Kanban could be:

Requires discipline.
Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects

Kanban is a flexible methodology that can be adapted to the specific needs of a project. It is a good choice for projects where there is a need to visualise work, limit work-in-progress, and improve efficiency.

3.3. Scrum

Scrum is a lightweight framework for project management that is designed to help teams deliver working software quickly and efficiently.

Scrum is based on a few key concepts:

Sprints: Scrum projects are divided into short sprints, typically two weeks long. At the end of each sprint, the team delivers a working product increment to the customer.
Roles: Scrum teams have three roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team.
Events: Scrum teams have five events: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective, and Release Planning.

Here are some of the benefits of using Scrum:

Delivering working software frequently
Collaboration with customers and stakeholders
Flexible and adaptable
Improved communication

Scrum’s drawbacks include:

Requires discipline
Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects

Scrum is a flexible methodology that can be adapted to the specific needs of a project. It is a good choice for projects where there is a need to deliver working software quickly and efficiently, and where there is a need to collaborate with customers and stakeholders.

3.4. Crystal

Crystal methodology is a family of agile software development methodologies that are designed to be flexible and adaptable to the specific needs of a project.

Crystal methodologies are based on the following principles: People over process, Communication, Adaptability

There are five different levels of Crystal methodology:

Crystal Clear: Crystal Clear is the simplest level of Crystal methodology and is designed for small, simple projects.
Crystal Orange: Crystal Orange is designed for slightly larger and more complex projects.
Crystal Yellow: Crystal Yellow is designed for even larger and more complex projects.
Crystal Green: Crystal Green is designed for very large and complex projects.
Crystal Emerald: Crystal Emerald is designed for projects that require a high level of security and safety.

The specific practices and techniques used in Crystal methodology vary depending on the level of the methodology. However, all Crystal methodologies emphasise the importance of people, communication, and adaptability.

Here are some of the benefits of using Crystal methodology:

Flexible and adaptable
Improved communication
Empowerment
Satisfaction

Here are some of the drawbacks of using Crystal methodology:

Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects
Requires experienced team members

Overall, Crystal methodology is a flexible and effective methodology for software development. It can be used in a variety of projects, and it can help teams to deliver high-quality software on time and within budget.

3.5. Lean Software Development (LSD)

Lean Software Development (LSD) is a framework that defines the steps involved in the creation of software. It is a systematic approach to planning, designing, developing, testing, and deploying software. SDLC methodology is often used for large IT projects. The goal of SDLC is to produce high-quality software that meets the needs of the users and stakeholders, as well as manage the project in a smooth manner.

The SDLC helps developers deliver software with the highest quality at the lowest cost. SDLC can help developers develop software in a well-structured way and maintain its quality by testing and validating user demands before releasing the software. It’s important for a software developer to have an intense knowledge of this software development process.

Benefits of using LSD:

Improved quality
Increased customer satisfaction
Increased productivity

Here are some of the drawbacks of using lean software development:

Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects
Requires experienced team members

Overall, lean software development is a flexible and effective methodology for software development. It can be used in a variety of projects, and it can help teams to deliver high-quality software on time and within budget.

3.6. Extreme Programming (XP)

Extreme Programming (XP) is an agile software development methodology that is based on the 5 key values: Communication, Simplicity, Feedback, Courage, Respect.

XP is a set of practices that support these values. Some of the key practices of XP include:

Pair programming: Two programmers work together at one computer, one driving and one observing. This helps to improve the quality of the code and to catch errors early.
Continuous integration: The team integrates their code frequently, typically several times a day. This helps to identify and fix errors early.
Refactoring: The team refactors their code regularly to improve its structure and readability. This makes the code easier to understand, maintain, and change.
Test-driven development: The team writes unit tests before they write any code. This helps to ensure that the code works as expected.
Acceptance testing: The customer writes acceptance tests that define what the software should do. These tests are used to verify that the software meets the customer’s needs.

Here are some of the benefits of using XP:

High-quality software
Fast delivery
Flexibility
Teamwork

Here are some of the drawbacks of using XP:

Requires experienced team member
Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects

Overall, XP is a flexible and effective methodology for software development. It can be used in a variety of projects, and it can help teams to deliver high-quality software on time and within budget.

3.7. Feature-driven development (FDD)

Feature-driven development (FDD) is an agile software development methodology that is based on four principles: Customer focus, Incremental software development, Continuous testing, Self-organising team. Some of the key practices of FDD include:

Feature analysis: The team analyses the customer’s requirements to identify the features that need to be developed.
Design by feature: The team designs the software for each feature.
Build by feature: The team builds the software for each feature.
Test by feature: The team tests the software for each feature.
Release by feature: The team releases the software for each feature.

Here are some of the benefits of using FDD:

High-quality software
Customer satisfaction
Flexibility
Teamwork

Here are some of the drawbacks of using FDD:

Requires experienced team members
Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects

Overall, FDD is a flexible and effective methodology for software development. It can be used in a variety of projects, and it can help teams to deliver high-quality software on time and within budget.

3.8. Dynamic systems development methodology (DSDM)

Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) is a flexible, iterative and incremental agile software development methodology that is designed to be used for complex and unpredictable projects. It is based on the following principles: Communication, Business driven, Iterative and incremental, Risk management, Proactive change management.

DSDM is a set of practices that support these principles. Some of the key practices of DSDM include:

Continuous planning: The team plans the project continuously, as the project evolves.
Joint application development (JAD): The team uses JAD sessions to gather requirements from the customer.
Rapid prototyping: The team uses rapid prototyping to develop and test features quickly.
Four-stage life cycle: The DSDM project goes through four stages: Feasibility, Business Study, Development, and Implementation.

Benefits of DSDM would be:

High-quality software
Customer satisfaction
Flexibility
Risk management
Proactive change management

Some of the drawbacks of using DSAM are:

Requires experienced team members
Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects

DSDM is a flexible methodology that can be adapted to the specific needs of a project. It is a good choice for projects where there is a need to deliver high-quality software that meets the customer’s needs, and where there is a need to manage risk and change effectively.

3.9. Scrumban

Scrumban is a hybrid methodology that combines elements of Scrum and Kanban. It is a good choice for projects where there is a need to deliver working software quickly and efficiently, but where there is also a need to be flexible and adaptable to change. As its combination feature, Scrumban is based on 4 principles: Incremental delivery, Transparency, Collaboration and Continuous improvement.

Some of the key practices of Scrumban include:

Sprints: Scrumban teams use sprints to deliver working software. Sprints typically last two weeks, but they can be shorter or longer depending on the project.
Kanban boards: Scrumban teams use Kanban boards to visualise their work. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that work is not being duplicated.
Daily standups: Scrumban teams hold daily standups to synchronise their work and to identify any blockers.
Retrospectives: Scrumban teams hold retrospectives at the end of each sprint to reflect on the past sprint and to identify ways to improve.

Here are some of the benefits of using Scrumban:

Delivering working software quickly
Flexibility
Collaboration
Continuous improvement

Meanwhile, some of Scrumban’s drawbacks are:

Requires experienced team members
Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects

Scrumban is a flexible methodology that can be adapted to the specific needs of a project. It is a good choice for projects where there is a need to deliver working software quickly and efficiently, and where there is also a need to be flexible and adaptable to change.

3.10. Adaptive Software Development (ASD)

Adaptive Software Development (ASD) is an agile software development methodology that is based on the following principles: Continuous adaptation, Collaboration, Iterative and incremental development, Testing.

ASD is a set of practices that support these principles. Some of the key practices of ASD includes:

Planning: ASD teams plan their projects in an iterative and incremental fashion. This means that they plan for the next increment of the project after the previous increment is completed.

Communication: ASD teams communicate regularly with the customer and with stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Design: ASD teams design the software in an iterative and incremental fashion. This means that they design the software for the next increment of the project after the previous increment is designed.
Development: ASD teams develop the software in an iterative and incremental fashion. This means that they develop the software for the next increment of the project after the previous increment is developed.
Testing: ASD teams test the software continuously to ensure that it works as expected. This means that they test the software for the next increment of the project after the previous increment is tested.

Here are some of the benefits of using ASD:

High-quality software
Customer satisfaction
Flexibility
Testing

Here are some of the drawbacks of using ASD

Requires experienced team members
Can be difficult to implement
Not suitable for all projects

ASD is a flexible methodology that can be adapted to the specific needs of a project. It is a good choice for projects where there is a need to deliver high-quality software that meets the needs of the customer, and where there is a need to be flexible and adaptable to change.

4. How to Choose the True Agile Methodology for Your Business?

The best software development methodology for your business will depend on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the project, the experience of the team, the culture of the organisation, the budget and timeline for the project. Let’s check out our comparison table to decide which types of Agile Methodologies are right for your business.

Conclusion

This is the end of this article, we all hope that you will have a good understanding of the different agile methodologies available after reading and you will be able to choose the right one for your next app development project. The best methodology for your app development project will depend on the specific needs of the project. However, any of the methodologies listed above can be a good fit for the right project.

However, if you are still not sure which methodology is right for your business, it is a good idea to consult with a software development expert. They can help you assess your specific needs and recommend the best approach for your project. AgileTech offers a consulting service for you right now. When you choose to work with AgileTech, you will receive huge tech support as we got 8 years of software development experience with multiple methodologies. We have a proven record of building high-quality products for clients around the world, using various methodologies. If you need further information and consultation for your project, feel free to fill out this form to meet our IT experts

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