Question

As we have seen, traditional and Agile schedule developments are quite different. Agile project management was originally developed to do software development. Could a traditional process be successfully used to develop a new software program? Why or why not? Could an Agile methodology be used to build a strip mall in your home town? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes, traditional and Agile schedule developments are quite different. Traditional favours typical heirarchical and top down approach whereas Agile as the meaning of the word suggests on the toes, always ready and willing to adopt changes for the betterment and more participative in nature. One can also bring in the debate about Top down traditional approach, subordinates always docile to the Seniors who may or may not be superiors to the subordinates.

Discipline, very early commitments, well laid down schedules with responsibility and authority are other factors, which can be considered as key to the success of traditional process for development of new software program or for that matter successful implementation of any new project.

I am not sure, how the traditional well tested process can fail if used to develop a new software program. No doubt Agile approach has brought in many good improvements over traditional approach but still I find usefulness of traditional process.

There are very many internal as well as external factors such as starting with the customers needs, customer participation, knowledge and skill of developers, cost and time constraints related to development of new software program.

To me, it is quite possible that traditional process may be successfully used to develop a new software program. However, Agile process may be considered as a better choice depending upon the kinds of inputs, process and outputs required.