Advantages of Agile software development process

Let us see some of the advantages of the Agile software development process:

• Functionality can be developed and demonstrated rapidly: In an agile process, the software project is pided by features, and each feature is called as a backlog. The idea is to develop either a single or a set of features right from its conceptualization till its deployment, in a week or a month. This puts at least a feature or two on the customer's plate, which they can then start using.
• Resource requirement is less: In Agile, there are no separate development and testing teams. Neither is there a build or release team, or a deployment team. In Agile, a single project team contains around eight members. Each member of the team is capable of doing everything.
• Promotes teamwork and cross-training: Since there is a small team of about eight members, the team members switch their roles in turns and learn from each other's experience.
• Suitable for projects where requirements frequently change: In an Agile model of software development, the complete software is pided into features, and each feature is developed and delivered in a short time span. Hence, changing the feature, or even completely discarding it, doesn't affect the whole project.
• Minimalistic documentation: This methodology focuses primarily on delivering working software quickly, rather than creating huge documents. Documentation exists, but it's limited to the overall functionality.
• Little or no planning required: Since features are developed one after the other in a short period, there is no need for extensive planning.
• Parallel development: Iteration consists of one or more features developed in sequence, or even in parallel.