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Tag: Agile

Utilizing Agile Performance Testing

Agile performance testing is a critical component in the software development process. Throughout each stage of the agile management process, performance testing needs to be a priority for both testers and developers.

Therefore, project managers and developers must know how to integrate such testing methods in an agile workflow.

Why Do We Need Agility?

The market needs high-quality apps within a short time periods, so organizations are motivated to use the Agile methodology throughout the development process. Through a waterfall model, performance testing occurs during the end of the development cycle.

When it comes to Agile, the process is the opposite; performance testing starts at the beginning of app design stages. This method makes sense – the design determines the robustness and the function of the app, so using this process ensures that the app behavior and quality are tested and verified throughout the project. Design, coding, and analysis takes place simultaneously.

Types of Testing Methods

On Demand: This is a starting point for small companies that want to fuse agile processes with performance testing. Developers are responsible for tuning and testing for all levels, under a dedicated tester’s supervision, which helps with the performance evaluation.

On Retainer: A tester is designed for each app development project, who might not be committed to any task, but they’re on standby whenever developers need additional bug resolution or technical assistance.

Full Immersion: This method is important for companies who are serious about the quality of the app’s delivery. Testers are there to monitor each development stage, and also to orchestrate and manage the performance activities from start to finish.

Continual Analysis

In agile performance testing, continuous analysis is important.

Both stakeholders and contributors need to monitor the progress of a project, especially when it comes to app performance and functionality. To create a clear view on what is needed, performance analysis needs to be comprehensive and continual.

With this ongoing analysis, your team can spot any problem within the application. Analysis takes place on the daily scrums that include performance testers as application stakeholders and contributors.

Contributors are active members on the team who complete daily scrums, which lets stakeholders see the status of the development effort. When all of the team members know the performance of each project sprint, they can keep the application’s quality high. The faster problems are found, the easier it is to fix them.

Automated Testing

Using automated testing tools can speed up the performance testing process. With the correct software, you can make a script, allow it to be reused, and you can schedule it to be tested during the off hours when you developers aren’t changing the code that’s tested.

Automated testing helps you meet your performance testing and regression objectives within a 2-4 week sprint. This is more important when developers hold off 60% of their work during the sprint until its time for build testing. This doesn’t give you enough time for testing.

Conclusion

With agile performance testing, you’ll have a streamlined way of solving problems as they arrive. By doing it early in the development process, your IT team will be able to remove any discrepancies with your app before it launches. Thus, use it to ensure that your app is delivered to the utmost quality and please your stakeholders as a result.

July 5, 2019
Gain the Edge with ICP Agile Certified Coach Training

The ICP Agile Certified Coach course or ICP-ACC training is one out of two Continuous Learning Certifications (CLCs) provided by the Agile Coaching and Facilitation Track. This training lets participants grow into the position of an Agile coach. Using this form of Agile management training, you may not only facilitate but mentor highly skilled agile teams.

You are taught to focus on creating achievable goals for your team through improved team practices. Professionals are given the tools and in-depth knowledge of problem-solving, guidance techniques and effective team building to gain improved team performance.

Studies prove that of having an Agile coach increases their efficiency by 300%. Comparatively, studies also indicate that a lack of an Agile coach only upgrades the efficiency by a mere 35%. This is assuming the Scrum team has capable project managers and certified Scrum technicians capable of managing the Agile framework.

What the course is about

This course is aimed at building the mindset and skills of a professional Agile coach. This includes all responsibilities of the coach that is necessary and helps build valuable tools to manage various scenarios effectively. The course covers numerous aspects needed in becoming a highly successful Agile coach. This encompasses numerous skills that the coach must possess so they may be able to navigate through a robust start-up agenda.

This ICP-ACC course offered by KnowledgeHut is covered over 21 hours via an online training medium that emphasises the importance of a coach setting boundaries and clarifies the difference between being a mentor and coaching a team. Learning the basics of agile is crucial when being a coach as is the mindset shift required to suit the position this will ensure your team is on a high-performance track.

This course also highlights key philosophies of being a coach like the importance of creating the correct team environment and the importance of team development focused on optimised performance. Resolving conflicts using tools provided by Agile to clear impediments of any nature is key. While organizational impediments are part of any team, conflict resolution by knowing how to manage them is an essential skill this course offers.

Key takeaways

Upon the completion of the 21-hour training course, you earn the ICP-ACC certification or the ICP Agile Certified Professional – Agile Certified Coach certification. This enables you to be in the most favourable position when it comes to understanding the responsibilities of a Scrum expert and the mindset of an Agile coach. Using these tools, you can lead and mentor a highly effective and efficient team that produces at the highest levels. You are also awarded 24 PDUs and SEUs during the course.

Having prior experience with Agile and Scrum can be beneficial for this course but is not a requirement for enrollment.

Why KnowledgeHut

KnowledgeHut unites some of the most talented professionals to impart their knowledge and skill during this course. You are given the opportunity to learn from and meet the best of the best across industries while being allowed to pick their brains on scenarios and challenges you may struggle within Scrum management. Add to that, the fact that KnowledgeHut is a registered education provider or REP of the Scrum Alliance and your employability increases as do your chances of advancement at a rapid pace.

January 5, 2019
How Does Agile Software Help My Organization?
The Waterfall process has been replaced with the Agile system for projects. Agile software development teams can complete their projects in shorter sprints. And it has allowed for development teams to thoroughly test and work simultaneously on each app iteration. Because of this, there has been a significant increase in app deployments and finished projects.

Businesses have started to use DevOps and agile for the majority of the automation project. Here are some reasons why Agile has helped businesses grow.

Reduced deployment failures

In the traditional software development method, its difficult for users to fix their issues. This is because they’ll find the issues after their app was deployed. Since agile software development check progress regularly, you won’t run into app issues as often.

Teams discuss every possible scenario before deploying an app. Thus, making it the better option when you’re trying to make your first app.

Client satisfaction

Agile development teams discuss with their clients after each sprint. This helps the clients monitor the process and show required changes if necessary. As a result, the client is more likely to be satisfied with the results from this method.

Why Agile?

Agile methods rely on trusting teams and employees to work directly with customers to provide solutions and understand their goals in an incremental and fast way.
- Smaller, faster. Traditional software development methods rely on tactics such as planning, outlining requirements, design, delivery, building, and test. On the other hand, agile software development tools aim to create the first increment within a few weeks then fully deploy the app after months of creation.
- Communication. Agile project teams work together directly and communicate throughout the duration of the project via face-to-face meetings. Through communication and collaboration, the team can stay on track even as project conditions change.
- Feedback. Instead of waiting for the delivery phase to measure success, agile teams track the speed and development process regularly. The project velocity is measured after each app increment.
Agile tips

When making an app using the agile method, here are five things you should keep in mind:
- Create a network of teams that are empowered to complete project tasks.
- When starting a project, make a process that focuses on learning, continuous change, and iteration because it’s difficult to know what the future holds.
- Look for team members who are responsible and take ownership of their project roles.
- The work strategy needs to be a “North Star” throughout the organization, and it focuses on co-creating value instead of zero-sum games.
- Make sure your team sees technology as a fundamental aspect to each part of your organization.
Conclusion

Overall, using Agile is a great way for your IT team to finish the project efficiently. To get the most of it, ensure that everyone is communicating actively. By doing this, you increase the chances of project success, reduces employee fatigue, and create products that please the client.

Do you have any questions about utilizing Agile for projects?

Tell us in the comments below!
November 6, 2018