Why To Use Agile Methodology For Mobile Application Development?

The unique features of agile methodology derive from the list of principles found in the “Agile Manifesto”. The basic principles of collaboration, incremental development, speed and flexibility drive the agile methodology as it seeks to break down the app development process into smaller chunks and integrates quality testing, documentation and analysis into these crucial links. Agile development model improves collaboration and responsiveness to the changing requirements and drives more predictable delivery. The various Agile methodology are increasingly being used by best mobile development companies to create better applications and meet the need of users quickly. Among the various models such as extreme programming, SCRUM, Feature driven development, test driven development, the two of the most widely used Agile methodologies are Scrum and Lean ( or Kanban) methods.

So why and how does agile methodology deliver the benefits over other existing approaches as waterfall development approach?

The following are the reason why Agile methodology is best fit for mobile application development

Iterative and incremental approach in the rapidly evolving mobile app ecosystem:
In a rapidly evolving app economy, with new features and technologies regularly being introduced, the average lifespan of a mobile app is less than 12 months. Agile methodologies by incremental deliveries of value in a time-box driven ( iterative) approach  allow for quick decision making and faster development cycle. The app, in order to keep up with the pace, must be constantly adapted to offer relevant functional features through early feedback from the multidisciplinary teams. And since Agile methodology involves a high degree of collaboration between the clients and project development team new features and functions can be quickly added.

Transparency:
Due to its iterative native and constant communication between the client and the project development team, the agile model is highly transparent and gives an opportunity for constant review. Thus, it also influences the client-vendor relationship and encourages more engagement between the parties. This in turn leads to a more relevant and successful mobile app development.

New features:
Being a responsive approach where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing, cross functional teams, Agile methodology promotes evolutionary development. It encourages a rapid response to changes in the app economy.

Early delivery:
Most agile development models attempt to mitigate the risk by developing software in short time-boxes, called iterations that last from one week to four weeks. At the end of each iteration, the team re-evaluates the project goals and priorities, this makes it easier to add new features and make the project more relevant. This iterative process eventually results in a faster development cycle.
Since each stage in itself is a miniature software project on its own, it comprises of establishing measurable goals and sharing learnings across the team. This iterative approach, however, build quality into each of the short incremental stages to produce an effective mobile app. Thus, new features are delivered quickly and frequently, this also provides an opportunity for developers to release a beta version.

Cost Predictability and estimation:
The iterative and incremental approach of agile methodologies through the time-box model also helps to accurately estimate the cost of each feature. This further helps in decision making and QC control.

Thus Agile development deliver an iterative approach to mobile app development to build quality into each incremental phase of mobile app development. Thus, agile methodologies offer significant benefits for developers and end users.