Agile Methodologies: what they are, examples and importance

In an era where time seems to have reduced significantly and we need to overcome it to get everything done, agility becomes the key to success. 

To the agile tools emerge as strategic allies for companies and professionals seeking to navigate masterfully in this dynamic scenario. 

However, many professionals do not know what they are and how important they are in project management?

If you want to learn more about this topic to stand out in the job market, read the text and check out the information. 

What are agile tools?

To the agile tools, also known as agile methodologies, are more than just software or applications. 

They represent a work philosophy that prioritizes flexibility, collaboration and continuous delivery of value. 

This innovative approach contrasts with traditional, rigid models, allowing teams to quickly adapt to change and meet ever-evolving demands. 

In short, they are sets of practices that aim to make the execution of activities more efficient. 

Unlike simple speed, they focus on the efficiency and accuracy of processes. 

Imagine preparing lunch: instead of making one dish at a time, you can prepare several dishes at once to keep the food from getting cold. That’s agility! 

The principles of agile methodologies include communication, practicality, flexibility and alignment of expectations, ensuring productivity throughout a project. 

When did agile methodologies emerge?

To the agile methodologies, nowadays essential tools for managing dynamic and adaptable projects, did not appear overnight. 

Its history, marked by innovation and collaboration, dates back to the mid-20th century, with the search for more flexible alternatives to traditional and rigid management models.

Between the 1950s and 1960s, the seeds of agility were planted with the emergence of ideas such as incremental development and feedback loops, advocated by authors such as William Royce and Eliyahu Goldratt.

However, it was in the 1980s that the lightweight software development movement gained strength, with a focus on frequent deliveries, adaptability and continuous testing. 

Figures like Kent Beck and Jim Highsmith stand out as pioneers.

In the infographic, you can check out some more important dates in the history of agile tools. 

What is the Agile Manifesto?

The Agile Manifesto is a historic milestone in the history of agile methodologies, without a doubt. 

In 2001, a group of 17 software developers met in Snowbird, Utah, in the United States. 

Dissatisfied with the rigidity and inefficiency of traditional methods, they came together to create the Manifesto for Agile Software Development.

This foundational document, composed of four values and twelve principles, formalized the pillars of the agile philosophy:

The values being:

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
• Working software over comprehensive documentation.
• Collaboration with the client above contract negotiation.
• Responding to change over following a plan.

Principles:

1. Satisfy the customer through frequent delivery of high-quality software.
2. Adapt to emerging changes during development.
3. Deliver working software frequently, preferably weekly or less frequently.
4. Promote continuous communication between the development team and the client.
5. Create an environment conducive to individuals becoming highly motivated, productive and creative.
6. Focus on technical excellence and good design.
7. Practice agility and adaptability.
8. Self-organizing teams are more effective.
9. Continuously create, inspect, and adapt software and processes.
10. Simplicity - the art of minimizing unnecessary work - is essential.
11. The best teams, techniques, and tools emerge from conversations and collaboration between individuals.
12. Periodically reflect on how to become more effective and adjust your behavior accordingly.

The Agile Manifesto served as a basis for the development of several agile frameworks, such as Scrum, Kanban and XP, each with its own characteristics and adaptations of fundamental values and principles.

From then on, agile methodologies transcended the scope of software development, adopted by companies of different sectors and sizes, driving agile transformation around the world.

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Examples of agile methodologies 

The diversity of agile tools available ensures that each team finds the ideal solution for their needs. 

Among the most popular examples, we can highlight, for example, the Kanban board. With it, you can visualize the workflow intuitively. 

This way, you can organize them into columns that represent different stages of the project.

Another popular example is the Scrum, where you can divide the project into short, iterative sprints, promoting frequent deliveries and constant feedback.

The XP Methodology (eXtreme Programming) is also another common example of agile tools. 

With it, emphasize automated testing, pair programming, and continuous integration to ensure software quality.

In addition to the options already mentioned, we have the following examples of agile methodologies:

• Lean;
• DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method);
• Crystal;
• Feature-Driven Development (FDD);
• SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework);
• Agile Unified Process (AUP).

Each example of agile technology mentioned here differs, some have the flexibility of agile, but also have more traditional characteristics.

It is extremely important to know the peculiarities of each alternative to see which is the best option for your project.

When to use these tools?

Agile methodologies have become a popular choice for managing projects across a variety of industries, but they are not always the best option. 

Knowing when to use them is important to be successful in your actions. See below a list of some scenarios in which they can be adopted:

• Projects with high uncertainty or frequent changes;
• Projects that require frequent deliveries and continuous feedback;
• Teams that need effective collaboration and communication;
• Projects focused on innovation and continuous learning.

These tools can be used in Digital Marketing, Software Development, Product Design and Project Management, for example.

Using them brings many advantages. They provide faster responses to changes, adjusting the course of the project as needed.

Furthermore, it improves communication and collaboration as it improves mutual understanding between team members and the client, promoting a more cohesive working environment.

With it, companies can better focus on the customer and delivering value.

This is because there are frequent deliveries of useful and functional features, meeting customer expectations.

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Conclusion

With the agile methodologies you bring more agility, flexibility and efficiency to your projects. 

Therefore, learn more about the examples mentioned in this text and discover which is the best option for your company. 

Nara Sampaio May 15, 2024