Overcoming challenges in developing business software with agile

Web Development – Efficient and effective business software development is the main key in the operational success of a company. In a world that continues to develop with technology, the adoption of the right software development method is very important. One of the most widely used methods is agile, which emphasizes flexibility, team collaboration, and fast iteration. However, although Agile offers many benefits, its implementation in the development of business software also faces a number of challenges. This article will discuss the main challenges faced in developing business software using the Agile approach, as well as solutions to overcome these challenges.

Also read: The Importance of IT Consultant Services in Developing Digital Strategies for the Future of Business

Changes in fast needs

One of the main principles of agile is flexibility to respond to change. However, in the context of developing business software, changes in needs often occur very quickly, even in a short time cycle. The developing business process and the desire to remain in front of competitors can cause software needs to change dramatically in the middle of the project. This can interfere with stability and affect the settlement time.

Solution: To overcome this problem, the development team can utilize a shorter sprint cycle. Each shorter sprint allows the team to focus on the small parts of the project and prioritize changes or additional features that are more important. In addition, clear and routine communication with business stakeholders must be carried out to ensure that developing needs can be identified and agreed upon quickly.

Ineffective team collaboration

Agile prioritizes collaboration between developers, business stakeholders, and end users. In theory, this sounds very effective, but in practice, problems often arise, especially when the team is not accustomed to the workings of agile or do not have good collaboration experience. Sometimes, despite working in the same team, members do not have a clear understanding of the purpose or not often communicate.

Solution: To increase collaboration, there needs to be an open communication culture and transparency between team members. Holding daily meetings such as the Daily Stand-up to discuss project progress and potential obstacles is very important. In addition, using project management tools such as Jira or Trello can help monitor and document the tasks and progress of each team member more clearly. Training and workshops on agile are also highly recommended to increase the understanding of the entire team.

Limited resources

Software development with agile methodology requires sufficient resources, both in terms of time, budget, and labor. Many companies face the constraints of limited resources, which affect the team’s ability to complete the project according to the specified schedule. When the project faces a limited budget or labor constraints, the priority and scope of the features in the software can be affected.

Solution: It is important for the team to do careful resource planning from the start. By planning resources wisely and ensuring that these resources can be allocated optimally, the team can more easily adjust to changes in needs. In addition, the right backlog settings, where important and critical features are prioritized, can help to ensure that time and budget can be used as efficiently as possible.

Challenges in maintaining quality

The quality of the software is a big challenge in the development of using agile. Given the iterative nature and frequent feature changes, there is a risk that the code developed in certain sprints may not fully meet the desired quality standards. Bugs or defects that are missed at each stage of sprint can increase the burden when the system is getting bigger and more complex.

Solution: To maintain quality, it is important to implement solid testing practices, such as automated testing and continuous testing. Automatic testing ensures that any code changes can be tested immediately to find problems. In addition, continuing testing at the end of each sprint ensures that each iteration works well and does not damage the system as a whole. Code review must also be part of the process to ensure better code quality.

Change management and slow decisions

Often, the development of software with the agile method involves rapid changes in plans and strategies. In large organizations, decisions related to this change can require a long time, either due to internal bureaucracy or due to disagreement between the parties involved. Slow decisions can slow down progress and damage the speed of iteration which is the main characteristic of agile.

Solution: The solution to overcome this challenge is to delegate decision making to a smaller and more focused team, or even use a product owner who has the authority to make decisions quickly. The use of the principle of empowerment in the Agile team can speed up the decision making process, so that decisions can be taken more efficiently without having to wait for approval from a higher managerial level.

Mismatch with traditional organizational structure

Some companies have a more traditional organizational structure, with rigid hierarchy and clear division of tasks. In this structure, agile implementation can be a big challenge because the Agile team requires flexibility and autonomy that may not be available in traditional organizations. Stakeholders who are accustomed to conventional work may be difficult to adapt to the philosophy of agile which prioritizes cross -functional collaboration and fast iterations.

Solution: To overcome this challenge, the company must try to educate stakeholders and managers about the benefits of agile and how its application can improve efficiency and better results. The transformation of organizational culture that supports faster collaboration and decision making is an important step. Training on agile must also be given thoroughly to all levels in the organization so that everyone has the same understanding.

Scalability in development

When the company grows, another challenge that arises is how to recite the agile method for larger projects. The use of agile in small teams or limited projects can be very effective, but when the number of teams increases and the project becomes more complex, managing coordination between teams and ensuring effective integration can be a problem.

Solution: To deal with this problem, companies can adopt a more scalable agile frame, such as scaled agile framework (safe) or large scale scrum (less). This framework is designed to help manage many teams that work on the same project, ensuring better integration and coordination. By using this framework, the company can maintain the consistency and quality of all teams involved in development.

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