How Codafication Nail Concept to Application in 10 Weeks
When helping companies undergo digital transformation, Codafication swaps traditional project management for agile project management. Here’s how we get it done and what you can expect when partnering with Team Coda.
Ever written off a dream digital solution as a “nice to have”? Well, you’d be forgiven for thinking so. We all know that digital innovation is synonymous with lengthy, tiresome projects, and often the words “digital transformation” will have project managers grimacing. There’s some hefty stats out there to back this feeling too, like this one that says “only 2.5% of projects are finished on time and within budget.” With the evolution of technology, however, does come the evolution of project management strategies. Team Codafication has done the rounds and tried a few, but there’s one that’s proven itself to deliver the best results in the least amount of time. It’s known as “Agile.”
SO, WHAT IS THE AGILE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS?
Agile indeed is a popular term, and it’s likely that it’s not a new concept to many involved with software or digital innovation. But to those outside of software who are wondering: “so, why is ‘agile’ such a buzzword these days?’, I can explain. Putting aside benefits like higher customer satisfaction and faster development, the bottom line is that software development is volatile. Infrastructure, security, and consistently new tech advances make the playing ground much less like a manicured football field, and more like a dessert of quicksand. A rinse and repeat mindset is ineffective due to the possibility that requirements can change as the unknown becomes known over the course of a project. When adopting Agile, your development cycle is broken down into iterations that allow for a quick feedback loop that catches any nasties you would otherwise find much later down the road.
Linear Timelines vs Iterations
Traditional project management looks at all tasks required, and plan for all tasks required, in one holistic view. For example, the “Waterfall” model has been popular in the past and entails the project tasks being handed on to the next relevant team after the former was complete. There should be roughly set dates for each handover, and the overall project is budgeted for holistically. Note that it’s for the entirety of the project, instead of each task. As you can see from the description, there is limited feedback between the handover of each project, and any potential errors can be rolled over into the next task, compounding the effect and burying it. Now, it’s more difficult to advance to the next stage should the unexpected occur, and therefore remain on target, budget and timeline-wise.
So, how can you get started with “iterations”?
To employ iterations in your next project, all you need to do is break the project down into bite-sized pieces. Start with listing down all of the features required to make the project a reality. This list is now your “backlog”. and ultimately is the foundation for each step of the project. Map out each feature, with each feature becoming a singular iteration. Voila!
I know I said “10 weeks” — here’s how you’ll know a project is worth 10 weeks of work:
Each iteration needs to have a value-added to it, and this value is equal to a corresponding time frame. We’ll start off with assuming that two hours of development work is equal to one point. If we have a developer capable of 40 hours of programming per week, then we can assume 20 points of productive work, per developer, per week. If the project is a total of 200 points, then we can estimate that we’ll be done in 10 weeks. Each iteration is then given its own timelines, rough estimate of cost, and includes its own set of planning, execution and testing.
For bonus points, we like to involve the customer along the way and invite them for user testing if possible. It’s a nice way to let them know that the project is progressing, and gives the development teams room to make small changes that enhance the user’s experience.
Not all projects are created equal, but that’s why adopting an iterative, agile approach to your next software innovation project is a fantastic way to beat the pitfalls of software volatility. At Codafication, we’re passionate about removing the hassles and ensuring that our customers can feel at peace with their next big innovation project.
This article was originally posted on LinkedIn by Dominique Tuck.
