Agile concepts and methodologies have originated and evolved from the software and manufacturing industry. They, now, have finally penetrated the domain of construction. The industry that relies on the waterfall method (orderly and systematic approach) for the execution of projects is now bracing itself to work with the Agile(flexible) approach.
Agile approach is a short iterative based system that allows a typical bulky procedure of product development(construction activity), to be shortened substantially by the fast pace trial and error cycles. Agile methods aim to respond quickly to changing requirements without excessive rework.
Agile, instead of being taken as a methodology, should be considered as a philosophy. It’s an umbrella term for an approach to project administration that prioritizes incremental, feedback-driven change into software development. Projects are designed and built on tete-a-tete discussions, meetings, and the flow of information to the clients. It uses an informal communication style where there are minimum rules, practices, and documents.
Agile methodologies commonly control scope through the use of value prioritization techniques, such as YAGNI (You Aren’t Going to Need It) or MoSCoW (Must have, must have, Could have, Want but won’t get this time). Temporal control of projects is necessary because of budgetary implications and knock-on effects – Scrum and some other methodologies, such as Dynamic Systems Development approach (DSDM), use the concept of timeboxes (regular incremental deliveries) which are often rigidly enforced.
Some of the best known agile methods are- Extreme Programming (XP), Scrum, Feature-Driven Development (FDD), Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM), Adaptive Software Development (ASD), Crystal, and Lean Software Development (LD).
In this article, we discuss the vital points that one must be aware of when incorporating Agile methods in construction :
Agile approach is a short iterative based system that allows a typical bulky process of product development(building activity), to be shortened substantially by the fast pace trial and error cycles.
Prioritization techniques, such as YAGNI (You Aren’t Going to Need It) or MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Want but won’t get this time). Temporal control of projects is necessary because of budgetary implications and knock-on effects – Scrum and some other methodologies, such as Dynamic Systems Development approach (DSDM)
Some of the best known agile methods are- Extreme Programming (XP), Scrum, Feature-Driven Development (FDD), Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM), Adaptive Software Development (ASD), Crystal, and Lean Software Development (LD).
Agile methods do require upfront planning. Significant communication and working with the customer is needed to provide undertaking requirements for the first release.
It is important to maintain a balance between traditional methods and Agile methods while executing a undertaking. Critical elements like the scale of the undertaking, safety needs, and known future requirements, call for upfront planning even in Agile undertakings, whereas volatile, high-change environments call for less upfront planning and a greater use of Agile methods.