software development

What is Agile Testing? Process & Life Cycle

October 25, 2023

8 min read

What is Agile Testing? Process & Life Cycle

Agile Testing is a dynamic testing practice that aligns with the principles of agile software development. Unlike the traditional Waterfall method, Agile Testing integrates seamlessly with the development process right from the project’s initiation. It is a continuous, iterative approach that ensures rigorous testing throughout the software’s lifecycle. Let’s explore the key aspects of Agile Testing, including its principles, life cycle, strategies, challenges, and why it’s so important in today’s fast-paced software development landscape.

Principles of Agile Testing

In the world of Agile Testing, several core principles shape the testing process:

1. Working Software Measures Progress

In Agile Testing, the primary measure of progress is working software. This means that successful testing doesn’t only rely on documentation but on tangible, functional software.

2. Self-Organizing Teams Excel

Agile Testing emphasizes the importance of self-organizing teams. These teams have the autonomy to make decisions, adapt to changes, and take ownership of their testing process.

3. Continuous and Early Delivery

Delivering valuable software early and continuously is a top priority in Agile Testing. This ensures that stakeholders can start benefiting from the software sooner.

4. Daily Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration between software developers and testers are vital. Daily meetings keep everyone on the same page, making it easier to address issues as they arise.

5. Technical Excellence and Good Design

Agile Testing encourages ongoing technical improvement and good design to enhance the software’s quality and maintainability.

6. Continuous Feedback

Agile Testing places a strong focus on continuous feedback, ensuring that the final product aligns with business expectations. Feedback loops are integral to the testing process.

7. Testing Is an Integral Part of Implementation

In Agile Testing, testing isn’t a separate phase but an integral part of software development. Testing occurs continuously alongside the development process, reducing overall development time.

8. Consistent Development Pace

Testing in Agile should maintain a consistent pace to keep up with the development speed.

9. Regular Reflection

Teams meet regularly to review and adapt their behavior, making improvements to become more effective.

10. Emergent Architecture, Requirements, and Designs

Self-organizing teams foster innovation, allowing for the emergence of the best architectures, requirements, and designs.

11. Face-to-Face Communication

Face-to-face conversations within the development team are the most efficient way to convey information and resolve issues promptly.

Agile Testing Life Cycle

The Agile Testing life cycle consists of five key phases:

Phase 1: Impact Assessment

In this initial phase, inputs from stakeholders and users are gathered. This phase, also known as the feedback phase, helps set objectives for the next life cycle.

Phase 2: Agile Testing Planning

Stakeholders come together to plan the testing schedule and deliverables in this phase.

Phase 3: Release Readiness

This stage reviews the features for readiness to go live and decides which components need further development.

Phase 4: Daily Scrums

Daily standup meetings keep the testing team updated and set daily goals.

Phase 5: Test Agility Review

Weekly meetings with stakeholders are conducted to assess progress against goals and make necessary adjustments.

Agile Test Plan

Agile test plans are different from traditional test plans. They include details such as:

Testing scope
New functionalities being tested
Types of testing based on feature complexity
Load and performance testing
Infrastructure requirements
Risk mitigation plan
Resourcing considerations

Agile Testing Strategies

Agile testing life cycle spans four stages:

Iteration 0

This initial stage involves setting up the testing environment, identifying key project elements, and estimating costs.

Construction Iterations

The majority of testing occurs during this phase. Teams follow prioritized requirement practices and perform confirmatory and investigative testing.

Release End Game Or Transition Phase

This stage focuses on deploying the system successfully into production. It includes training, support, and final system testing.

Production

After the release stage, the product moves into the production phase.

The Agile Testing Quadrants

Agile testing is divided into four quadrants, each addressing specific aspects of testing:

Agile Quadrant I

This quadrant focuses on internal code quality and includes tests like unit and component testing.

Agile Quadrant II

Business-driven tests are featured in this quadrant, including scenarios, user experience, and pair testing.

Agile Quadrant III

Quadrant III provides feedback to the previous two quadrants and supports automation testing.

Agile Quadrant IV

This quadrant deals with non-functional requirements such as performance and security testing.

QA Challenges with Agile Software Development

Agile testing brings its own set of challenges:

Frequent requirement changes
Rapid introduction of new features
Limited time for test planning
Reduced regression testing time
Shift from gate-keeper to partner in quality

Risk of Automation in Agile Process

Automated testing in Agile has its challenges, including unreliable tests and the need for proper planning.

Conclusion

Agile methodology in software testing emphasizes early and continuous testing. It promotes collaboration, flexibility, and adaptability, ensuring that software meets business expectations. Effective communication and daily feedback are key to Agile Testing’s success in today’s fast-paced software development landscape.

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Agile Testing Methodology: Examples for the Agile Tester

October 25, 2023

8 min read

Agile Testing Methodology: Examples for the Agile Tester

In the world of software development, Agile methodology is a widely accepted approach for creating and managing projects. Just as the Agile development methodology breaks down larger elements of feature development into smaller, more manageable pieces (such as user stories, tasks, and technical requirements), an Agile testing methodology breaks down larger testing elements into smaller, more specific tests with a narrower focus on a specific user story, task, technical requirement, etc. In this article, we will explore the Agile testing methodology, its benefits, and provide you with five real-world examples of how it’s applied by Agile testers.

1. Agile Testing Supports Continuous Testing

Agile testing supports the principles of DevOps and continuous testing. Continuous testing is a crucial aspect of Agile development that focuses on improving product quality. In traditional development processes, testing often happens at the end of the development cycle. However, in Agile, testing is integrated throughout the entire process. This is commonly referred to as “shift left” testing.

Agile testers prioritize tests just as developers prioritize user stories. The aim is to get through as many tests as possible within each iteration. Automation tools are often employed to streamline the testing process. Using automation testing in software testing, Agile teams can efficiently manage repetitive and complex test cases, allowing for more frequent and thorough testing within each sprint. This method not only speeds up the validation process but also enhances the detection of defects early in the development cycle. Continuous testing not only helps discover issues and bugs early in the development process but also allows for quicker bug fixes, as the issues are fresh in the developers’ minds. It also leads to better test coverage, resulting in improved product quality and safety.

2. What Does an Agile Tester Do?

In Agile development, testing and quality assurance become the shared responsibility of the entire team. Agile testers and developers must collaborate closely. Communication and collaboration are key components of this methodology.

Developers often use Agile testing methods like Test-Driven Development (TDD) where the test is written before the code. Agile testers and developers collaborate even before the user stories or requirements are set. This close partnership ensures that testing is integrated from the very beginning, avoiding the common practice of testing as a separate phase.

3. Understanding the Definition of Done

In Agile development, the “definition of done” is a shared, standardized understanding among the team that a specific user story has been completed. This definition includes acceptance criteria that must be met for the user story to be considered done. Testing plays a crucial role in validating the acceptance criteria, ensuring that the user story is indeed complete.

This understanding is vital for both Agile testers and developers. It helps track what has been tested and what defects still need resolution. This visibility ensures that everyone is aligned with the testing process and the definition of done.

4. Agile Testing Methodology: 5 Examples

There are several testing methods used in Agile testing, regardless of the specific Agile framework used, such as Scrum, XP, Kanban, or hybrid Agile. Here are five examples:

a. Test-Driven Development (TDD):

TDD starts with writing tests. Developers create unit tests and then write the code to make those tests pass. It’s often used for unit and component tests and can be automated, ensuring features work correctly.

b. Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD):

ATDD starts with customer input on functionality. It involves writing user acceptance tests (UAT) and then developing the code to meet these tests. It’s essential for verifying that the product functions as users expect.

c. Behavior-Driven Development (BDD):

BDD connects development with business outcomes. Tests are included within user stories as scenarios or specifications, ensuring that the product’s functionality aligns with business goals.

d. Exploratory Testing:

This style of testing allows testers to follow their intuition rather than predefined scripts. Testers explore the application, recording their actions and findings. It’s typically used to find hidden risks within a product.

e. Session-Based Testing:

Similar to exploratory testing, but with a more structured approach. Testers begin with a mission and work towards specific goals.

5. Agile Testing Strategy

Unlike traditional development, Agile doesn’t typically involve extensive test plans. Instead, Agile testers require a flexible approach that can adapt to shifting requirements. An Agile test strategy is essential to guide the testing process. This strategy should include:

Purpose (defined by the user story).
Objectives (test cases).
Scope (what needs to be tested).
Methods (how tests will be run).

Agile testers often rely on tools like Helix ALM to create and manage their Agile test strategy, ensuring that testing aligns with development objectives.

Benefits of Agile Testing

Agile testing offers several advantages:

Improved product quality.
Faster error detection and resolution.
Happy customers due to reliable products and stable releases.
Better scope management and feature prioritization.

How to Manage Agile Testing

To ensure alignment within the Agile team and maintain visibility on the status of testing and issue resolution, it’s essential to use dedicated test case management tools. Helix ALM is one such tool that allows teams to create, execute, and track all types of tests within a single platform, providing a unified view of the entire Agile testing strategy.

Transition to Agile Testing

If you’re considering transitioning to Agile testing, tools like Helix ALM can make the process smoother. You can take advantage of a 30-day trial to explore how Helix ALM’s Test Case Management module can help you implement Agile testing effectively and achieve a holistic Agile testing strategy.

Conclusion

Agile testing is a methodology that aligns with Agile development, promoting continuous testing and collaboration. Agile testers use various testing methods to ensure product quality and deliver reliable software. By adopting Agile testing, development teams can improve product quality, reduce risks, and enhance customer satisfaction.

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What is Agile Software Testing?

October 25, 2023

8 min read

Agile is one of the most famous project management frameworks in software development. Agile software testing is a methodology that helps developers test their code continuously and rapidly. This methodology also allows testers to get immediate feedback from customers.

Agile Software Testing

Agile testing is a software testing practice that follows the Agile software development methodology. In Agile development, projects tend to evolve during each sprint among collaborators and shareholders. Agile testing focuses on ensuring quality throughout the Agile software development process.

Continuous integration and continuous delivery are two important aspects of agile testing. In continuous integration, developers integrate their code changes into a shared mainline several times a day. In continuous delivery, every change that passes all tests is automatically released into production.

What are the main principles of agile testing?

The main principles of agile testing are:

Early and continuous testing: Testers should start testing the software early in the development process. They should also test the software continuously throughout the development cycle.
Whole team approach: In agile development, all team members are responsible for ensuring the quality of the product. This includes developers, testers, business analysts, and product owners.
Frequent deliveries: Agile teams deliver working software frequently, typically every two weeks.
Close collaboration: There is close collaboration between all team members in an agile project. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no surprises.
Customer involvement: Customers involve themselves throughout the agile development process. They provide feedback at each iteration, which helps the team to make constant improvements.
Working software: Agile teams focus on quality software management during each iteration. This is more important than documentation or other deliverables.
Flexible approach: Agile development is a flexible approach. Teams can change the requirements at any time during the development process.

What are the main testing activities in agile?

The main testing activities in agile are:

Requirement analysis: Testers work with business analysts and product owners to understand the requirements of the new feature.
Test design: Testers design the test cases for the new feature.
Test execution: Testers execute the test cases and report any bugs.
Defect management: Testers work with developers to fix the defects.
Release management: Testers help to plan and execute the release of the new feature.

What are the most important skills for agile testers?

The most important skills for agile testers include:

Strong communication skills: Testers must be able to communicate effectively with all team members. They also need to be able to understand the customer’s needs and requirements.
Strong technical skills: Testers need to have strong technical skills. They should be able to understand the code and the technology stack.
Strong problem-solving skills: Testers need to be able to identify and solve problems quickly. They should also be able to think creatively and come up with new solutions as needed.
Strong team player: Testers need to be able to work well in a team environment. They should be flexible and adaptable, and able to work well under pressure.

How is agile testing done?

How does a standard Agile testing campaign take place? What are the steps involved?

Development teams can conduct Agile testing in several ways. The most common way is for Agile teams to integrate their code changes into a shared mainline several times a day. This allows for increased collaboration to point out project flaws and improve them quickly.

Another way to perform agile testing is through test-driven development (TDD). In TDD, developers write unit tests before they write the code for a new feature. These unit tests define the requirements for the new feature.

Once the developers write the code, they’ll perform unit tests to make sure that everything works as expected.

Why is agile testing important?

Agile testing is important because it helps to ensure that software meets the needs of the customer. Agile teams work closely with customers to get feedback at each iteration. This helps to ensure that the software is constantly improving.

Agile testing also helps to find defects early in the development process. By conducting frequent releases, agile teams can quickly get feedback from users and make changes as needed.

What kinds of challenges are present during agile testing?

Agile testing can be challenging for several reasons. First, agile teams move quickly, and they are constantly making changes. This means that testers need to be adaptable, and they need to be able to change their approach on the fly.

Second, Agile teams typically have a lot of stakeholders involved. Testers need to be able to communicate effectively with all team members, as well as with the customer. Also, Agile development environments often have tight deadlines. Testers need to be able to work well under pressure and they need to be able to deliver quality results quickly.

Waterfall vs. agile testing

Agile testing is a different process from Waterfall testing. In Waterfall testing, the project requirements finalize at the beginning of the project, and they do not change. To put it simply, these “requirements” are the specifications of the project and are set in stone before it begins. This means that testers can design their test cases upfront, and they can execute them when the developers finish the code.

In Agile projects, however, the requirements are constantly changing. This means that testers need to be much more adaptable. They need to be able to design their test cases on the fly and they need to be able to execute them quickly.

What is the agile testing life cycle?

The agile testing life cycle is the process that agile teams use to plan, execute, and track their testing activities.

The agile testing life cycle consists of four main phases:

Planning: The team decides which features are testable and which tests are necessary.
Execution: The team executes the tests.
Tracking: The team tracks the results of the tests and defect reports.
Closure: The team reviews the test results and closes out any remaining defects.

What are some best practices for agile testing?

Some best practices for agile testing include:

Automate as much as possible. This helps speed up the testing process and enables developers to find more defects.
Use an automated tool to track defects. This helps development teams source and mitigate bugs quickly and efficiently.
Use continuous integration and continuous delivery. This will help to ensure that changes happen frequently and that they are always tested before finalization.
Communicate early and often. Agile teams need to communicate constantly to be successful. Testers need to be able to effectively communicate with all team members, as well as with the customer.

Agile testing is a vital part of the software development process. By following some of these best practices, you can ensure that your team is able to effectively test your software and deliver quality results.

Automate Agile Testing with OpenText

Agile testing is a fluid and comprehensive process. Overall, agile testing is critical in creating a satisfactory end product that meets all project requirements. Deploying agile testing enables you to:

Find defects quickly in a project and resolve them.
Receive crucial feedback to guide continual iterations.
Release dynamic products that will achieve remarkable results.

Conclusion

With OpenText’s Agile planning tool, OpenText™ ALM Octane, you can easily automate your agile testing. Users can quickly create and execute test cases. You can also efficiently track and mitigate defects and manage your team’s progress more easily.

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Rapid Prototyping in Agile Development

October 25, 2023

8 min read

In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, the need for innovation and efficiency is paramount. One approach that has been gaining traction for its ability to meet these demands is Rapid Prototyping. This article delves into the fascinating world of Rapid Prototyping in Agile Development, exploring its significance, the process it entails, its advantages, and potential pitfalls. Let’s embark on this journey of discovery to understand how Rapid Prototyping is shaping the future of software development.

What is Rapid Prototyping?

Rapid Prototyping is a pivotal phase in the realm of software development. It serves as the bridge between the conceptualization of an idea and the realization of a fully functional product. In essence, it allows developers to create a prototype that simulates the future application or website. This prototype is interactive, closely resembling the final product, albeit without the actual working code. The ‘rapid’ aspect lies in the speed with which this basic version of the product is designed and presented for testing to the target audience, the development team, and the client.

When to Use Rapid Prototyping in the Agile Process

Rapid Prototyping finds its natural habitat in the User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design phase of software development. Unlike a traditional mockup that primarily showcases the visual aspects, rapid prototyping focuses on the user experience. It is during this phase that end-users can interact with the prototype and provide valuable feedback.

Agile Rapid Prototyping vs. Waterfall Method

To appreciate the value of Rapid Prototyping, it’s essential to juxtapose it with the Waterfall method. Waterfall is a rigid approach where each phase must be completed before moving to the next. Any changes or adjustments become cumbersome once a phase is finalized. In contrast, Agile Rapid Prototyping is agile in the truest sense. It allows for flexibility, adjustments, and iterations at every step of the process, making it more adaptive and user-centric.

The Rapid Prototyping Process

The journey of Rapid Prototyping begins with a clear definition of the product or feature’s goal, ensuring alignment between the customer and the provider. Collaboratively, the features and the flow description are outlined in words. This step acts as a compass guiding the decision-making process, often utilizing story mapping.

Next, the designer steps into the spotlight, crafting a fully functional clickable prototype. This prototype embodies the agreed-upon features, bringing the concept to life.

Once the prototype is ready, it’s shared with the entire team, the client, and the target audience, opening the doors for invaluable feedback.

Expecting perfection in the first design is a rarity. Adjustments and fine-tuning are inevitable, and that’s perfectly acceptable. It’s not a roadblock but rather a detour towards the ideal product.

The analysis of the prototype can take various forms, from A/B testing to collecting user data and even conducting interviews. These steps help refine the product and align it more closely with the user’s needs.

Advantages of Rapid Prototyping

One of the primary advantages of Rapid Prototyping is its laser focus on the end user’s needs. It provides a direct channel for users to influence the product, ensuring it aligns with their expectations.

Moreover, Rapid Prototyping proves to be a time and cost-efficient approach in the long run. Since no code is written until the features are validated, post-launch adjustments are minimal, reducing the risk of major overhauls.

How Does Rapid Prototyping Benefit the Creation of an MVP?

It’s common to confuse Rapid Prototyping with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). In reality, a prototype serves as a critical stepping stone towards an MVP. A prototype concentrates on UX design without any code-writing, whereas an MVP is a fully functional product that can be launched. This differentiation allows for faster improvements and market testing, without the need for significant changes post-launch.

Potential Pitfalls of Rapid Prototyping

The ability to make quick adjustments in Rapid Prototyping is a boon but can also be a curse. Striving for perfection can lead to a never-ending cycle of revisions, delaying the product’s delivery.

Another potential pitfall is delving too deep into the finer details right from the start. It’s crucial for both the client and the provider to agree on the essential functions for testing during the prototyping phase. Simplicity is key, as it forms the foundation upon which additional layers can be added later.

Rapid Prototyping Tools

Various tools facilitate the Rapid Prototyping process, ranging from simple paper and pencil to more advanced options like Figma, Zeplin, and InVision. Each tool offers its unique benefits, enabling the creation of fully cross-functional and comprehensive prototypes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rapid Prototyping is the compass that guides your application or website toward success. It ensures that your product aligns with the needs and expectations of your target audience. It saves time, money, and resources by addressing user feedback early in the development process. At Moqod, we are committed to applying the Lean Startup methodology to Rapid Prototyping, focusing on delivering efficient solutions that allow your business to thrive and your product to shine.

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What’s the Difference Between Agile Development and Prototyping?

October 25, 2023

8 min read

Choosing the right software development method for your project is a critical decision that can significantly impact its success. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and forcing your project into a particular method can lead to frustration and inefficiency. To make an informed choice, it’s essential to understand the fundamental differences between two popular approaches

Agile Development and Prototyping

The selection between Agile Development and Prototyping depends on various factors, including the complexity, cost, and size of your project, as well as the presence of investors or stakeholders. In this article, we’ll delve into the advantages and disadvantages of both Agile Development and Prototyping to help you make an informed decision.

Prototyping

Prototyping is a method that begins even before full-scale development starts. It involves creating preliminary models or prototypes, which can range from quick sketches on a whiteboard to fully interactive mockups.

The Prototyping Process

Initial Prototype: The process starts with an initial prototype of the project, which serves as a visual representation. You and your team can provide feedback at this stage.
Refinement: Each prototype is continually refined, and the development process takes a trial-and-error approach. This process continues until the final prototype is achieved.
Experimentation: Prototyping allows you to experiment and identify issues early in the process. You can visualize how the product will be used and assess the impact of changes. If necessary, you can change direction or refine features and design.
Continuous Feedback: Throughout the prototype model, you receive continuous updates, and your feedback is consistently incorporated. This ensures that the end product is better aligned with user requirements.

When to Use Prototyping?

Prototyping is an excellent choice in the following scenarios:

Uncertain Ideas: If you have an idea for a project but are unsure about its feasibility, prototyping can clarify whether it’s viable.
Clarity and Communication: If your team lacks clarity about the project’s direction and requirements, a prototype can provide visual communication of key ideas.
Limited Budget: Prototyping is cost-effective because it identifies issues and bugs early, reducing the time and expenses associated with fixing problems during the development phase.

Agile Development

Agile Development is a methodology where development and testing occur in different stages or iterations, rather than waiting for the entire project to be completed.

Agile Development Process

Iterative Approach: Agile development breaks down a project into multiple iterations or sprints. Each iteration functions like a miniature project, focusing on specific aspects of the final product.
Risk Reduction: The iterative model involves strict planning, testing, integration, and risk evaluation. This approach minimizes the likelihood of project failure.
Adaptability: Agile is a suitable choice when project requirements are continually changing. It allows you to pivot later in the development process, rather than sticking to a predetermined plan.
Measurable Progress: Agile makes it easy to measure progress, as you can see how much work has been completed.

When to Use Agile Development?

Agile Development is a suitable option in the following situations:

Changing Requirements: If your project’s requirements are subject to frequent changes, Agile Development provides the flexibility to adapt as needed.
Tight Deadlines: Agile methods facilitate rapid delivery, making it an excellent choice when you have tight project deadlines.
Effective Project Management: To ensure the success of Agile projects, having an experienced project manager is essential to prevent budget overruns.

Choosing Between Agile Development and Prototyping

The decision between Agile Development and Prototyping should be based on the unique needs of your project. Any software development company that insists on a one-size-fits-all approach should be viewed with caution. A reputable firm understands that every project, client, and development team is distinct, and the approach should be tailored accordingly.

Conclusion

We recommend choosing the method that best aligns with your specific requirements. If you need guidance on selecting the right approach for your project, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We’re here to help you make an informed decision.

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Agile Prototyping: Revolutionizing Design and User Experience

October 25, 2023

8 min read

In today’s fast-paced digital world, creating exceptional user experiences is crucial for the success of any website or application. To meet these demands, Agile Prototyping has emerged as a game-changing approach. In this article, we’ll delve into Agile Prototyping, its benefits, and how it can transform the way you design and develop web and application solutions.

Agile Prototyping

Agile Prototyping is a method that leverages rapid, cost-effective techniques to get design ideas in front of customers early in the development process. It’s a systematic approach to designing and testing web and application interfaces. Here’s what you need to know:

Definition

Agile Prototyping involves creating a version of your design with enough functionality to compare design alternatives and test riskier elements. It’s about producing a prototype using rapid-prototyping tools, ensuring a swift and cost-effective turnaround.

User-Centered Approach

Prototypes allow you to observe real user behavior as they interact with your design. This provides valuable insights and detailed feedback before implementation, minimizing costly design changes at later stages.

Benefits of Agile Prototyping

The benefits of Agile Prototyping are manifold and can significantly impact your design and development process. Here’s what you gain:

Early User Data

By employing Agile Prototyping, you obtain early user data and feedback. This informs your design decisions, ensuring that you’re heading in the right direction before making significant investments in design or development.

Customer Prioritization

It allows you to discover what truly matters to your customers and users. This is vital for aligning your development timelines, effort, and resources with their needs.

User Engagement

Agile Prototyping encourages the active involvement of your users, be it customers, staff, or other stakeholders, in your design process. This engagement enhances buy-in, communication, and commitment to the project.

When Should I Use Agile Prototyping?

Agile Prototyping is the ideal approach when:

Testing Innovative Ideas

When you have innovative ideas you’d like to test quickly and cost-effectively, Agile Prototyping is the way to go. It helps you validate your concepts before substantial investments are made.

Complex Design Decisions

For complex websites or applications with challenging design decisions, Agile Prototyping is invaluable. It allows you to benefit from user data and feedback, ensuring that you make informed choices.

Prioritizing User Needs

When you need to align your timescales, effort, and resources with user priorities, Agile Prototyping can provide the insights necessary for informed decision-making.

What Do I Get from Agile Prototyping?

Each Agile Prototyping cycle offers you the following:

Prototype Development

For every design-and-test cycle, you receive a prototype of the critical pages, user interaction, and navigation components of your website or application.

Usability Testing

Each cycle includes usability testing with representative users, followed by a comprehensive analysis and redesign recommendations. This iterative process ensures that your design continually improves based on user feedback.

Why Neo Insight?

Choosing the right partner for Agile Prototyping is crucial. Neo Insight stands out for several reasons:

Cutting-Edge Tools: We use the latest tools and techniques for rapid design and testing, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
Experience: Our team boasts over 20 years of design expertise, working closely with development teams to strike the perfect balance between design and functionality.
Seasoned Testers: Our testers have a minimum of 15 years of web experience and conduct hundreds of test sessions annually. Their insights are invaluable for refining your web or application design.
Industry Insights: We keep a close eye on industry trends, which helps us make informed decisions to align your customer, business, and technical needs effectively.

Conclusion

Agile Prototyping is a revolutionary approach to web and application design. It offers a user-centered perspective, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to rapidly adapt to changing user needs. If you’re looking to enhance your design process and create user experiences that truly resonate, Agile Prototyping is the way forward.

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Agile Best Practices for Effective Teams

October 23, 2023

8 min read

Agile Best Practices for Effective Teams

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the need for flexibility and adaptability is paramount. Organizations across the globe are turning to Agile methodologies to ensure their teams are effective, efficient, and responsive. This article will delve into Agile best practices, including Scrum and Kanban project management, the Lean Development model, and the key benefits of using Agile in your organization.

Implement Agile and Require an Agile Team

Before we dive into Agile best practices, let’s address the fundamental question: Why should organizations implement Agile and require an Agile team? The answer lies in the need for businesses to stay competitive and respond swiftly to changes in the market. Agile methodologies provide a framework that promotes collaboration, customer-centricity, and the ability to adapt to evolving customer needs and market trends.

The Agile Manifesto

At the core of Agile is the Agile Manifesto, which emphasizes individuals and interactions, working solutions, customer collaboration, and responding to change. It prioritizes these over processes and tools, comprehensive documentation, contract negotiation, and following a plan. This mindset shift is crucial in understanding why Agile is essential for modern organizations.

Agile Best Practices

Now, let’s explore the key Agile best practices that can transform the way your teams operate.

Agile Best Practices: Scrum Project Management

Scrum is a widely adopted Agile framework that helps teams manage complex knowledge work. It is founded on transparency, inspection, and adaptation, and it encourages teams to work collaboratively towards a common goal. The Scrum process involves sprint planning, daily stand-up meetings, sprint review, and sprint retrospective.

Agile Best Practices: Kanban Project Management

Kanban is another Agile framework, emphasizing continuous delivery and reducing work in progress. The Kanban board visualizes work items and their status, allowing teams to manage their workflow efficiently. This method enhances flexibility and responsiveness to changing priorities.

Lean Development Model

The Lean Development model is a key component of Agile best practices. It focuses on delivering value to customers with minimal waste. Lean principles include eliminating waste, amplifying learning, and deciding as late as possible. By incorporating Lean into your Agile approach, you can streamline your development processes and increase efficiency.

Key Benefits of Using Agile

Implementing Agile best practices offers numerous benefits to organizations.

1. Enhanced Flexibility

Agile allows organizations to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs.

2. Improved Collaboration

Teams collaborate more effectively, leading to better solutions and increased productivity.

3. Customer-Centricity

Agile keeps the customer at the center of the development process, ensuring their needs are met.

4. Faster Time-to-Market

Agile enables quicker delivery of products and features, giving businesses a competitive edge.

5. Increased Employee Satisfaction

Engaged and empowered teams tend to be more satisfied and productive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Agile best practices, including Scrum, Kanban, and Lean, provide organizations with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape. By adopting Agile methodologies, businesses can improve their flexibility, collaboration, and customer-centricity while delivering value to their customers faster than ever.

If you’re looking to revolutionize your organization’s approach to project management and development, Agile is the way to go. Get started today and witness the transformation for yourself.

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Accounting for Costs in Agile Software Development

October 23, 2023

8 min read

Accounting for Costs in Agile Software Development

In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, Agile methodology has taken center stage. Agile software development is an adaptive approach that emphasizes flexibility, integrated customer involvement, and speed. It’s a paradigm shift from the traditional waterfall model, which involved extensive upfront planning. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of accounting for costs incurred in the application of Agile software development and its impact on finance and accounting functions.

Understanding Agile Software Development

Agile methods are based on iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing, cross-functional teams. Unlike the traditional waterfall method, Agile doesn’t require an extensive project plan before commencing work. Instead, it uses time-bound increments known as “sprints.”

During these sprints, teams plan smaller-scale development goals, work for two to three weeks, evaluate progress, recalibrate, and repeat. The product is delivered at the end of each sprint, making it more adaptable to change. Agile focuses on identifying and addressing issues promptly, ensuring the project aligns with the overall goal.

Impact on Finance and Accounting

One of the primary challenges when transitioning to Agile development is the impact on finance and accounting. Traditional finance funding models rely on annual budgeting, which is incompatible with the iterative and incremental nature of Agile.

In Agile, development activities may rapidly move through different phases, making it challenging to identify costs specific to application development. Under U.S. GAAP, technology development costs should be capitalized only during the application development phase. Failing to do so may lead to incorrect accounting for these costs.

Determining Capitalizable Costs

To ensure appropriate accounting, users of Agile software development should be familiar with key Codification topics:

ASC 985-20, Software: Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed
- For software developed for external use (e.g., software to be sold), all costs incurred to establish technological feasibility must be expensed as research and development expenses. Costs after the establishment of technological feasibility should be capitalized.
ASC 350-40, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software
- Internal-use software development involves distinguishing costs incurred during different project stages. Some costs, like payroll-related costs and applicable interest, should be capitalized.
ASC 350-50, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: Website Development Costs
- Costs associated with website development should be accounted for according to the project stage at which they are incurred.

Identifying the costs to be capitalized and the technology development phase they belong to is essential for accurate accounting.

Key Accounting and Reporting Challenges

The Agile environment presents unique challenges for accounting and reporting:

Cost Tracking
- All costs incurred in Agile software development need to be meticulously tracked. This includes payroll-related costs, third-party service fees, costs for inputs from third parties, and travel expenses.
Amortization
- Assets established upon capitalization must be amortized once the developed technology is ready for use. Agile’s iterative nature and various units of account can complicate amortization.
Impairment and Abandonment
- Identifying the appropriate unit of account is crucial for assessing impairment and abandonment of capitalized costs. Agile’s real-time development and testing may lead to more frequent impairment or abandonment events.

Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

Entities using Agile development should evaluate their internal controls:

Cost Tracking and Capitalization
- These processes should be carried out by knowledgeable personnel, and training is essential for accurate time tracking and cost classification.
Evidence Maintenance
- Keeping all evidence to prove the accuracy and completeness of time tracking is vital.
Oversight and Accountability
- Implementing appropriate oversight and accountability measures ensures that internal controls are in place to identify and mitigate risks.

Conclusion

The transition to Agile software development brings about significant changes in the way we account for costs. Adapting to this new landscape is crucial for accurate financial reporting and efficient project management. Agile’s flexibility and adaptability can be harnessed effectively with a sound understanding of the associated accounting challenges.

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Agile Software Development for Internal-Use Software

October 23, 2023

8 min read

Agile Software Development for Internal-Use Software

Agile software development has revolutionized the way software is created and managed, especially when it comes to internal-use software. This article will delve into the dynamic world of agile development practices and the accounting challenges that arise in this context. We’ll explore how this iterative approach differs from traditional methods and how organizations need to adapt to effectively manage software development costs.

The Evolution of Software Development

Traditional software development methods followed a linear or “waterfall” approach, moving through distinct project stages. However, agile development principles have transformed the landscape. Agile involves sprints, breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable increments, and continuously iterating based on feedback. This iterative process results in software features and functionalities that are constantly evolving.

ASC 350-40 and Agile: A Mismatch?

Historically, accounting for software development costs was relatively straightforward. Companies would follow the guidelines outlined in ASC 350-40 for their financial reporting. However, agile development may not align with the traditional project stages defined by ASC 350-40. This misalignment raises questions about how to categorize and capitalize development costs accurately.

Understanding the Cost Categories

To effectively account for software development costs in an agile environment, it’s essential to understand the different cost categories:

1. Planning Costs

Planning involves defining project goals, scope, and the development roadmap. These costs are essential and generally considered capitalizable.

2. Coding Costs

The heart of software development, coding, often results in capitalizable costs. However, the nature of agile development means that coding is an ongoing process rather than a distinct phase.

3. Testing Costs

Testing is an integral part of agile development. Costs incurred for testing activities are typically capitalizable.

4. Training Costs

Agile development might involve continuous training and adaptation. These costs are generally expensed as incurred since they don’t contribute directly to software development.

The Judgment Factor

In an agile environment, judgment plays a crucial role in tracking and categorizing costs. The nature of activities being performed – whether planning, coding, testing, or training – determines whether costs should be capitalized or expensed.

Conclusion

Agile software development has brought about a seismic shift in how we create and manage internal-use software. However, it has also introduced accounting complexities, particularly in understanding the capitalization of development costs. It’s vital for organizations to adapt their accounting practices and exercise judgment to ensure they accurately account for these costs.

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Best Agile Software Development Books of All Time

October 23, 2023

8 min read

Best Agile Software Development Books of All Time

In the fast-paced world of software development, staying up to date with the latest techniques and methodologies is crucial. Agile software development has emerged as one of the most effective approaches to managing projects and delivering high-quality software. To help you on your journey to becoming a skilled Agile practitioner, we’ve compiled a list of the best Agile software development books of all time. Whether you’re a beginner looking to unlock the secrets of business communication, team management, and project management, or a seasoned pro seeking to deepen your knowledge, these books have got you covered.

Best Agile Software Development Books of All Time

Agile Software Development Books

1. Beginner to Expert; Unlock the Secrets of Business Communication, Team Management, and Project Management, and Become a Respected Leader and Professional Manager

Beginner’s Guide to Agile: Start your Agile journey with the fundamentals. This book provides insights into business communication, team management, and project management, setting the foundation for your Agile expertise.

2. Minimum Viable Product: 21 Tips for Getting an MVP, Early Learning, and Return on Investment

Creating Successful MVPs: This book dives deep into the concept of Minimum Viable Product, offering 21 valuable tips for achieving early learning and maximizing return on investment.

3. Machine Learning and Hacking

Agile and Machine Learning: Explore the intersection of Agile and machine learning. This book sheds light on how Agile methodologies can be applied in the world of data science and machine learning.

4. Javascript for Beginners: Your Guide for Learning Javascript Programming in 24 Hours

Javascript in Agile Development: Learn how Javascript fits into Agile development processes and enhance your coding skills in just 24 hours.

5. Agile Project Management QuickStart Guide – Learn How To Master Agile Project Management Today!

Agile Project Management Mastery: Get started with Agile project management using this quick-start guide. Master Agile principles and practices for successful project delivery.

6. Agile Product Management: User Stories – How to Capture Requirements for Agile Product Management and Business Analysis with Scrum

Storytelling for Agile: Understand the importance of user stories in Agile product management and how to effectively capture requirements using Scrum.

7. Clean Agile: Back to Basics

Simplicity in Agile: This book emphasizes the importance of keeping Agile clean and simple, going back to its basics for more effective project management.

8. Accelerate: The Science of Lean Software and DevOps – Building and Scaling High Performing Technology Organizations

Scaling Agile: Discover how to scale Agile practices and principles for building high-performing technology organizations.

9. Got A New Error… Progress! Agile Software Development Life Cycle Coding Humor Wide Rule Journal Notebook

Agile Humor: Explore the lighter side of Agile development with this coding humor journal notebook.

10. Agile Processes – Software Development: Extreme Programming, Refactoring, Exploratory Testing, TDD

Extreme Programming: Delve into Extreme Programming (XP) and explore Agile development techniques like refactoring, exploratory testing, and test-driven development (TDD).

11. Agile Project Management For Dummies, 3rd Edition – Mark C. Layton, Steven J. Ostermiller, Dean J. Kynaston

Dummies Guide to Agile: This book is a comprehensive guide to Agile project management, perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

12. The Epic Guide to Agile: More Business Value on a Predictable Schedule with Scrum

Epic Agile: Learn how to deliver more business value with predictability using Scrum in this epic guide to Agile practices.

13. Agile: The Complete Overview of Agile Principles and Practices

Agile Principles: Get a complete overview of Agile principles and practices to enhance your project management skills.

14. Agile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming: 21st International Conference on Agile Software Development, XP 2020, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 8-12, 2020, Proceedings

Academic Insights: If you’re looking for in-depth academic insights, this book covers the 21st International Conference on Agile Software Development in 2020.

15. Secrets of RSS by Ratan Sharda

Agile with RSS: Explore the secrets of Agile in this unique book by Ratan Sharda, which provides a fresh perspective on Agile development.

16. Agile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming – Workshops: XP 2020 Workshops, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 8–12, 2020, Revised Selected … Notes in Business Information Processing)

XP 2020 Workshops: Dive into the XP 2020 workshops, where experts share their insights on Agile and Extreme Programming.

17. Agile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming: 20th International Conference, XP 2019, Montréal, QC, Canada, May 21–25, 2019, … in Business Information Processing, 355)

XP 2019 Conference: Explore the highlights of the 20th International Conference on Agile Software Development in 2019.

18. Software Development from A to Z: Learn about OOP, UML, Agile, Kanban, SCRUM and so much more!

Comprehensive Software Development: This book covers a wide range of topics, from Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) to Agile, providing insights into the software development industry.

These books are essential reading for anyone looking to excel in Agile software development. From mastering the basics to exploring advanced techniques, there’s a book on this list for everyone. So, grab your favorite one, dive into the world of Agile, and take your project management skills to the next level.

Conclusion

Agile software development is a dynamic field that requires continuous learning and adaptation. These books offer a wealth of knowledge and insights to help you become a proficient Agile practitioner. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, the wisdom contained in these pages will empower you to manage projects effectively, foster team collaboration, and deliver high-quality software.

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What is Agile Testing? Process & Life Cycle

Principles of Agile Testing

1. Working Software Measures Progress

2. Self-Organizing Teams Excel

3. Continuous and Early Delivery

4. Daily Collaboration

5. Technical Excellence and Good Design

6. Continuous Feedback

7. Testing Is an Integral Part of Implementation

8. Consistent Development Pace

9. Regular Reflection

10. Emergent Architecture, Requirements, and Designs

11. Face-to-Face Communication

Agile Testing Life Cycle

Phase 1: Impact Assessment

Phase 2: Agile Testing Planning

Phase 3: Release Readiness

Phase 4: Daily Scrums

Phase 5: Test Agility Review

Agile Test Plan

Agile Testing Strategies

Iteration 0

Construction Iterations

Release End Game Or Transition Phase

Production

The Agile Testing Quadrants

Agile Quadrant I

Agile Quadrant II

Agile Quadrant III

Agile Quadrant IV

QA Challenges with Agile Software Development

Risk of Automation in Agile Process

Conclusion

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Agile Testing Methodology: Examples for the Agile Tester

1. Agile Testing Supports Continuous Testing

2. What Does an Agile Tester Do?

3. Understanding the Definition of Done

4. Agile Testing Methodology: 5 Examples

a. Test-Driven Development (TDD):

b. Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD):

c. Behavior-Driven Development (BDD):

d. Exploratory Testing:

e. Session-Based Testing:

5. Agile Testing Strategy

Benefits of Agile Testing

How to Manage Agile Testing

Transition to Agile Testing

Conclusion

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What is Agile Software Testing?

Agile Software Testing

What are the main principles of agile testing?

What are the main testing activities in agile?

What are the most important skills for agile testers?

How is agile testing done?

Why is agile testing important?

What kinds of challenges are present during agile testing?

Waterfall vs. agile testing

What is the agile testing life cycle?

What are some best practices for agile testing?

Automate Agile Testing with OpenText

Conclusion

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Rapid Prototyping in Agile Development

What is Rapid Prototyping?

When to Use Rapid Prototyping in the Agile Process

Agile Rapid Prototyping vs. Waterfall Method