Developing custom applications using the Agile framework has proven itself to increase productivity and ensure that the business gets what adds most business value sooner rather than later.  The increased collaboration between the development team and business, together with the attention given to the prioritization of the work also reduces stress and allows business to take responsibility for , and feel in control of their destiny… a far cry from the experience in the waterfall world.

The Agile way of working allows increased transparency and really works well where the team is part of the organization for whom they are building the solution, but in a world where too many software projects have failed, there is a big challenge when a business wants to outsource development to a third party software developer using Agile methods.  The biggest problem is answering the following two questions:

  • How much will it cost?
  • How long will it take?

The correct Agile answer to the first question is:

It will cost less than predicted by the waterfall approach, and less than what it will cost as predicted by the time and materials based estimate, and you will pay just for what you need, built in the most efficient way possible and you can stop the moment when the needs are met.

The correct Agile answer to the second question is:

It will take less time than predicted by the waterfall approach, and less than what it will take as predicted by the time and materials based estimate, and you will get just what the business needs at the right level of quality, and you can stop the moment when the needs are met.

The reason why it is faster (and cheaper) is based on the following:

  • All parties equally motivated to get it right – partnership
  • Just in time Requirements
  • Focus on Business value and priorities
  • Open Communication and Transparency
  • Productivity that leverage recent learning
  • Process with flexibility and just enough formality (Lean)

Regards

Ben Cilliers

General Manager / Director
Kaizania