Most processes are really simple when they start. As time progresses and as people notice the shortcomings, they tend to become complex. We always try and improve on our systems and processes because that is what defines our efficiency as well as the quality of the work that we deliver.

The same is the case with programming methodologies as well. In the last few decades, there have been a myriad of different programming methodologies. There is waterfall method, agile method and several other methods. However, in this article, we are going to concentrate on one: agile project management.

For a project manager, it is imperative that he finds ways to make the processes, and parts of the processes better, more efficient and smoother. Because project managers need to do this, they need to be creative and find ways of getting things done better. This is why we see agile development methods today. You can find several agile consultants who believe that their way of doing it is better than the others.

Are they speaking the truth or is it just illusion? Let’s find out!

If you adopt the agile methods, you’ll have to make major changes on the way you code, the way you deliver and ship the software and what happens after that. The concept, in layman’s terms, is to improve the quality of the software that is delivered using processes that can consistently produce quality software. It also requires a team to be more flexible to changes. At the end of the day, what matters is that you ship working software and not a 500 page user manual.

If the software doesn’t work, the user manual would be of no use. Lean consultants aim to deliver software early and revise fast based on customer feedback. The concept of teams is also very different. In any agile consulting firm, you can see developers working in pairs, commonly known as pair programming.

There is a person who keeps contact with the end user/customer. Working product is delivered in each iteration for the help of the customer to decide if it is going in the right direction.Any change or modification request is answered in that particular iteration before moving on to creating another module/implementing another feature.

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