The Agile development method is the height of modernism and is quickly changing the face of software development. It’s a completely new way of looking at things and it’s become popular due to its relevance in the current cash conscious society. Agile development methods can’t be applied in a one-size-fits-all way to web design but there are elements which can be worked into the website design process to make it more effective.
What is Agile?
Agile development is reactive rather than predictive and relies upon of four core principles:
Individuals and interactions above processes and tools
Processes, techniques and tools within the agile method are purely for creating further and frequent interactions between the team and clients.
Get it done rather than Extensive Planning
Of course, there is a degree of planning in the agile method but the mentality is, get the work done and deliver a minimum viable product (MVP). This mentality removes the need for extensive documentation and hours spent planning.
Customer Collaboration is Central
Rather than poring of contracts and negotiating terms agile development centres on getting things done quickly and therefore the customer needs to be constantly in contact with the team and on board with discussions. Communication and collaboration is essential for ensuring the team can work efficiently.
Reactive not Predictive
Agile development isn’t about following a straight road from plan to development to end product. A series of iterations take place so that the team selected beta users and the client can test elements of the MVP throughout the development process – allowing changes to be made in a reactionary manner rather than all discovered at once at the end.
<h2″>Applying Agile to Design
Agile Development Methods are a positive choice for designers, despite them seeming at odds with what traditionally works. The agile method allows designers to receive continuous feedback from the client and other team members and it provides a wider impression of how a website design is being received by its audience. It may mean that a day’s work needs to be revised on occasion but it skips the stage of finishing and finely tuning a whole project to be told that multiple elements are simply wrong. Below is a closer look at three techniques borrowed from agile development that web design agency professionals can work into their practices.
Frequent Iteration
In agile design the information collation, site mapping and wireframing phase of design is significantly reduced. The design team needs to set goals from the offset with the aim of producing an MVP. This MVP should be worked towards through a series of 1-2 week iterations. Smaller deliverables will be necessary so design professionals will need to learn how to break tasks down and categorise them accordingly. Certain stages you once considered essential such as static Photoshop mock-ups will be replaced by sketches and easy-to-modify alternatives.
Constant Integration
The traditional waterfall method of web design is a main problem, which came in the faults when found a whole development cycle was completed. It could be that many separate elements of the design didn’t fit together and this can still occur with agile development but with frequent iterations comes the need for continuous integration. In practice for developers this involves integrating, running and testing all code daily to ensure all is aligned and it can be embraced by designers who hope to gain a greater understanding of the project’s overall direction.
Continuous Client Interaction
As mentioned one of the core principles of agile development and therefore agile design is client interaction. With agile design you are showing your client continually where their project is going and if they have any problems, they can highlight them before you produce the final version. It allows you to understand your client’s needs more clearly and help create the final product they actually want. It’s essential you maintain a degree of professional leadership or your client could keep things coming back and forth for some time but imparting your expertise should ensure the final product is accepted and appreciated.
The modern web design market is no longer responsive to the traditional waterfall method and therefore all website design professionals need to think on their feet and adapt new methods to ensure they remain attractive to potential clients.
