The Advantages and Disadvantages of Agile SCRUM Software Development

When you start working on a project which will be developing software, you will quickly discover that the development methodology used will have a major part to play in the speed and quality of the code developed. Since Agile Scrum methodology is so widely used it is important that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of it so that you are able to determine whether it is the best fit for your project deliverables.

Advantages of Agile SCRUM

• Agile scrum helps the company in saving time and money.
• Scrum methodology enables project’s where the business requirements documentation is hard to quantify to be successfully developed.
• Fast moving, cutting edge developments can be quickly coded and tested using this method, as a mistake can be easily rectified.
• It is a lightly controlled method which insists on frequent updating of the progress in work through regular meetings. Thus there is clear visibility of the project development.
• Like any other agile methodology, this is also iterative in nature. It requires continuous feedback from the user.
• Due to short sprints and constant feedback, it becomes easier to cope with the changes.
• Daily meetings make it possible to measure individual productivity. This leads to the improvement in the productivity of each of the team members.
• Issues are identified well in advance through the daily meetings and hence can be resolved in speedily
• It is easier to deliver a quality product in a scheduled time.
• Agile Scrum can work with any technology/ programming language but is particularly useful for fast moving web 2.0 or new media projects.
• The overhead cost in terms of process and management is minimal thus leading to a quicker, cheaper result.

In a nutshell this means that you can get development started fast, but with the caveat that the project scope statement is "flexible" and not fully defined. Hence this can be one of the major causes of scope creep if not managed properly.

Disadvantages of Agile SCRUM

• Agile Scrum is one of the leading causes of scope creep because unless there is a definite end date, the project management stakeholders will be tempted to keep demanding new functionality is delivered.
• If a task is not well defined, estimating project costs and time will not be accurate. In such a case, the task can be spread over several sprints.
• If the team members are not committed, the project will either never complete or fail.
• It is good for small, fast moving projects as it works well only with small team.
• This methodology needs experienced team members only. If the team consists of people who are novices, the project cannot be completed in time.
• Scrum works well when the Scrum Master trusts the team they are managing. If they practice too strict control over the team members, it can be extremely frustrating for them, leading to demoralisation and the failure of the project.
• If any of the team members leave during a development it can have a huge inverse effect on the project development
• Project quality management is hard to implement and quantify unless the test team are able to conduct regression testing after each sprint.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Agile SCRUM Software Development - Tip

Agile Scrum is a fast moving, management intensive software development methodology. It makes the process of software development more focussed and manageable, which when you are developing a product which is cutting edge and completely bespoke can only be a good thing.

On the flip side, inexperienced resources or lack of firm direction can mean that projects which utilise Agile Scrum run a far higher risk of not completing or simply failing.

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