Agile Methodologies and their suitability for large enterprises

 

Of the various stages that are related to software development and its delivery, Quality testing holds a unique position as it tests the functionality and responsiveness of the software for the end user. Traditionally, the waterfall model is used by companies to develop applications where disparate but distinct stages of the overall process work in silos. However, this model has its shortcomings when client requirements change frequently mirroring the emerging market dynamics.

The paradigm of Agile Testing has emerged as the answer to such a scenario where the QA team instead of working as a separate entity in the overall Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC,) becomes an integral part of the development process and works in tandem as part of the scrum. As the paradigm of Agile Software Testing needs a change in the overall business work culture with all stakeholders becoming part of the SDLC, it is yet to be adapted by a majority of companies. The success of Agile Testing Methodologies depends on its adoption by large enterprises as against the popular belief of being unwieldy and being the last to accept change. In fact, large enterprises lead the way in adopting this cutting edge paradigm.

In a melting world economy where the dynamics of business changes on account of emerging technology, increased competition, cost imperatives and changing user preferences, the classical model of software development is not enough to meet the challenge. This makes way for a new paradigm of Agile to take root and address the issue. In the Agile model the QA and development teams form a single entity,    which apart from testing particular software module alongside its development, interacts with stakeholders to arrive at a consensus. This consensus is related to determining the scope and criteria of testing.

Advantages of Agile Testing

• Testing is part of the whole software development cycle instead of being a separate process. This enables quick identification and redressal of glitches unlike in the classical waterfall model where there are chances of slippages in error detection.  
•  As the objectives and modalities of testing are set beforehand by agile testing experts and their development counterparts, they have to work in tandem to make things work. 

    Click here to know more ...