Agile Application Development Methodology: How We Ensure App Quality

You should know we create mobile apps using Agile methodology and how it helps us build a first-rate product.

In the beginning, we should explain to you what Agile methodology is more in detail and how it works.

Agile is iterative and step-by-step software development methodology. Agile application development helps organize designing and planning methods, development and testing methods during a software lifecycle. All methods of Agile are based on the following principles:

• quick response to any changes with the help of adaptive planning;
• joint elaboration of requirements; 
• rationalization of tasks performed by development team; 
• step-by-step software development with strict time frames.  

This approach is used in many development projects of today.

Thus, Agile methodology allows specialists to manage work of development teams and organize their tasks efficiently. And this methodology is based on a democratical approach to the whole organization process.

Since Agile app development methodology consists of a few short cycles (2-3 weeks each), there is a risk minimization. A customer can see the result after each cycle, and he/she can request to make any changes. Thus, a customer has a direct influence on the development and he/she controls it. Each Agile application development lifecycle includes the following stages:

• planning;
• requirement analysis; 
• design; 
• development; 
• testing; 
• documentation drawing up. 

One cycle isn't enough for building a full-fledged product, but each iteration shows part of the functionality that can be tested and/or changed. After each cycle, development team sums everything up and can receive new requirements, then some adjustments can be made in software development plan.

We will tell you more about benefits of Agile for mobile app development, but first, let's define all roles in Agile teams and who is who.

Depending on a company and particularities of specific projects, names of roles can be different. And each employee of the company can bear one or that role, if necessary. Depending on the size of the project, the number of roles may vary. I will single out main Agile roles and responsibilities we use at Cleveroad at small teams first:

These are the main roles a small development team should have in agile mobile app development process. As for large teams, they have the same roles plus two additional ones like:

Well, it's time to say a couple of words about advantages of Agile methodology. 

Now let's speak about the application of Agile in mobile app development and why use Agile methodology. What particularities do mobile apps have? Unlike conventional desktop applications for PC that may function for a few years without an upgrade, mobile apps should be much more flexible for users. Users' demands may change rather often, so app owners should update this app every time when it requires new changes. And what is the way to create a high-quality mobile app without additional revisions? Agile methodology is the option.

It can be rather difficult to prepare a plan for the whole development process. Using Agile methodology for mobile application app development, we can prepare a plan for each cycle separately, we don't waste extra time and resources to fix any bugs since everything can be fixed after each stage of implemented functionality. So we can make a proper plan for each stage without any problems, and it will help us create a first-rate product. By the way, if you should also know how to arrange budget planning for your software project.

With the help of Agile, we create the software sprint by sprint, as we indicated before. We call each cycle as sprint since it is similar to run on a short distance. We don't aim to complete the project as quick as possible, we test and check functionality after each sprint to see whether it works properly or not. Besides that, with Agile we can keep up with more strict deadlines.

Due to Agile methodology in mobile application development, it is very convenient to make changes in the app since it is divided into sprints. Thus, it will not have a negative impact on the development process, and changes can be made quickly. Because when the project is almost finished and some serious problems arise, revision can take much more time and money, so Agile methodology helps avoid such situations.

Users won't use an app that doesn't function properly or it has many bugs. It will lead to a total failure of the app. That is why an app can be released step by step with Agile methodology, in the beta version first, to make it possible for users to assess an app and notify about any bugs if they find it. On the basis of it, developers can make all changes quickly, and all risks can be managed timely. Existing bugs will be detected as early as possible. You can see how we organize risk management when we create your app.

It is not an acceptable situation when a customer sees a result of the development in the end. If something doesn't meet expectations of a customer, it will be more difficult to revise the app, it will lead to additional costs and time, and, as a result, to a negative feedback from a customer. Agile methodology allows the development team to be always in touch with a customer, provide him/her with an app when each sprint is completed, and if we need to make any changes - we do it quickly without damaging development processes.

So, you can see main benefits Agile mobile app development methodology brings for mobile app development. Now, let's move to the most popular frameworks of Agile.

There are many Agile frameworks, but each of them should be used in the specific case. It is worth noting that we use only two Agile methodology frameworks and it is enough for us. They provide us with all necessary features. Check them out!

Each project has it's own team of specialists and there are two additional roles we wrote about above - product owner and team lead (scrum master). The first one connects a team with a customer and controls the projects. It is some kind of mentor. Scrum master helps PO organize business process like holding a meeting, solving common problems, team motivation and control how team members keep up with scrum approach.

Scrum approach divides the working process into equal sprints - their duration may vary, everything depends on the specific project. Before we start a sprint, it is necessary to draw up tasks for this sprint. When it is completed, all results are discussed. This method makes it possible to lower development costs and make management process more efficient.

The goal of Kanban is to create balance indoors, i.e. in the development team. It helps avoid situations when developers can work 24 hours, but designers almost have no work to do.

All team is unified, Kanban has no specific roles like in Scrum. The business process is divided not into universal sprints, but it has implementation stages of different tasks like Planning, In development, Testing, Complete etc. Using Kanban framework, it is necessary to keep up with following principles:

• Visualization. All working items should be displayed in the type of graph or chart, it helps understand the workflow situation better;

• WIP limitation. WIP is a work-in-progress abbreviation. So Kanban makes it possible to create balance in load for team members;

As it was noted before, there are many other frameworks available, but Scrum and Kanban are the main we use at Cleveroad.

There are a few Agile development principles and practices we always keep up with at Cleveroad when we create mobile apps using Agile methodology. We list all of them below.

You can immerse more deeply in our development process. Watch this video below:

Agile application development process bears a lot of advantages both for the development team and for customers. We can affirm it as we are highly experienced in it. The methodology makes it possible to build a mobile app that will be accepted by the public with admiration. The only thing you need is a high-skilled software development team that will turn your ideas into reality. Contact us if you need to create a mobile app. Also, subscribe to our blog and get hot newsletters!