Agile software development - Does it deliver?

While waterfall development methodologies dominate in most enterprises an increasing number of organisations are considering or have started to use ‘Agile’ methodologies in an attempt to improve delivery of systems to the business. This event consolidates the views of 15 project managers on where ‘Agile’ developments are most likely to succeed and how to get them delivered.

A project manager from a leading utility company and an external consultant opened the event with a comprehensive presentation on their experience of using the SCRUM methodology to build a web development project. The big benefits come through much earlier and continuous user involvement, coupled to a clear focus on delivering highest value functions first; but suitable projects need to be selected with care. First time users of these methodologies should bring in outside help, coupled with a training package for internal staff. Key recommendations based on real life experience of participants cover: approaches to analysis and design, the role and requirements of the user Product Owner, the involvement of support, and the use of offshore development teams in India and Eastern Europe.

This event was attended by 15 project managers, business analysts, and developers from 8 organisations covering Finance, Energy, Legal, Retail, Local Government, Medical and Water industry sectors. A third had in depth experience of using a SCRUM based Agile development approach successfully