The goal of any software development lifecycle (SDLC) is to create a great product. And that requires flexibility, customer-centricity, and a philosophy of constant improvement—all attributes of the Agile SDLC.
The Agile software development model offers an innovative approach to iterative development. It’s an ideal methodology for product owners and developers who balance collaboration with adaptability and want as many opportunities for improvement as possible.
Here’s everything you need to know about Agile development, how it differs from the Traditional SDLC, and the steps your team will implement.
The Agile SDLC is a software development methodology that emphasizes collaborative thinking, feedback-driven decision-making, and cyclical change. Under Agile, teams complete work in sprints—work cycles lasting 1–4 weeks—that allow frequent discussions about what’s working and what’s not.
Here’s how it works:
Here’s why the Agile SDLC methodology is a great choice:
Traditional SDLC, also known as the Waterfall model, is Agile’s opposite—but that doesn’t mean it lacks its own strengths. Let’s compare the two.
Traditional and Agile methodologies guide software project development with the same goal: to help teams deliver a functioning and secure product in adequate time. They both take a structured approach—though those structures themselves differ—and offer opportunities for feedback, improvement, and collaboration.
Here’s a quick guide to the differences between these two methodologies:
There are six Agile software development steps, each serving a distinct purpose. Because Agile is so flexible and iteration-based, teams typically go through steps three and four a few times before the product is complete.
During the Concept phase of the Agile model of SDLC, stakeholders and project managers collaboratively identify top priorities and project scope. Discussions should include all the details, including budget, anticipated delivery date, and necessary features. This process determines feasibility and defines main requirements.
Next is Inception, which is when most planning takes place. Managers assign roles, detail core methods and templates, and provide tools so the group can begin making progress.
The Inception phase has two main components:
These components help teams develop the product backlog—a list of must-have features informed by customer feedback and product goals.
Because the actual development happens during this phase, Iteration is often the lengthiest and most collaborative. Team members reference the backlog to build the product’s bare functionality and make tweaks as sprints go on. Then, quality assurance ensures the product is up to par. The Iteration phase ends with a first draft of the product.
The Testing step guarantees the software is faultless and ready for the masses. Agile typically incorporates a few types of testing:
After you complete QA testing and are confident that the product is ready for the public, the team is ready to move to the Release phase—also known as software deployment.
6. Review
Just because the project has been released doesn’t mean your job is over. At the review stage, the team’s motive shifts to making sure it’s a long-term success. This includes regularly reviewing customer feedback, resolving potential bugs, and ensuring the user experience is seamless.
Experience the Agile SDLC firsthand with these steps.
Within Agile, choose a framework, which is the approach that sets the foundation for organizing and managing the project’s processes. There are several Agile frameworks to choose from:
When transitioning a team to an Agile model, team members want to know why. Having a clear goal is the best way to answer any questions and encourage everyone to work together. Common goals for companies implementing Agile include:
You can’t transition to an Agile workflow overnight. It’s best practice to plan ahead and prepare teams for the transition. Create an implementation plan to outline the meetings, process changes, and team training you’ll put in place to bring everyone up to speed. This bridges any gaps and builds a cohesive source of truth as the Agile SDLC begins.
With Agile’s emphasis on moving quickly, teams need to consider how to bake security into the process without creating bottlenecks. Make sure developers are properly trained in secure coding, and that they treat security requirements as they do functional requirements. In addition, use automated security testing that is embedded throughout the development process, ideally giving teams real-time feedback. Finally, consider an ASPM platform like Legit that helps both development and security teams understand the full software factory, where security controls are in place, and which vulnerabilities warrant immediate attention.
Since Agile prioritizes collaboration, constant communication is key. Hold daily meetings to make space for questions and keep team members in the loop about responsibilities and expectations. Touch base with team members about what they accomplished yesterday, plans for the day, and any challenges.
Feedback fuels collaborative learning. Regularly assess the team’s progress, ask for feedback from key stakeholders, and implement suggestions to modify processes. That’s the joy of Agile SDLC—you can modify what’s not working as you go.
There’s no better way to gauge the SDLC’s success than by connecting key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs are measurable goals, like a certain cycle time or customer satisfaction rating. Tracking these numbers offers insight into how successful the Agile transition really is.
Legit Security works across the software factory to seamlessly integrate security into Agile processes without disrupting workflows. Enjoy continuous security monitoring and automated compliance checks to keep security a priority throughout all Agile sprints. Get a demo today to secure your Agile SDLC.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Legit Security Blog authored by Legit Security. Read the original post at: https://www.legitsecurity.com/blog/agile-sdlc-benefits-stages-implementation