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Agile Software Development

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System Design – Architecture – Delivery – Development – QA – Deployment

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Eliminate The Obstacles To Efficiency Through Agile Software Development & Leadership Done The Right Way!

What Is An Agile Development Process?

What Is Agile Software Development?

Instead of only one long iteration of performing software development life cycle (SDLC) activities sequentially, an Agile team repeatedly conducts these activities in short durations. When you work with Blackslate Software, their agile software development consultants will help to identify the highest priority business needs and then deliver these needs early in the project cycle, so you achieve working requirements quickly and early in the process.

What Are The Project Roles Within The Agile Process

The Agile process disperses responsibilities among all project team members, increasing accountability with your stakeholders. Besides this, the Agile methodology has many pragmatic practices. Blackslate Software’s consultants recognize this and focus on the ones best suited for your organization and can customize the approach to work best in your culture to get the most out of the process.

How Is Progress Measured

Progress is measured in an Agile project through iterations. Iterations, also known as Sprints in the Scrum methodology, are improvement increments of a product that results in a tangible work product that can be reviewed or demonstrated to the stakeholders. Multiple orchestrated iterations are the foundation of the project. Iterations range from one to four weeks in length. The most common duration of a sprint is two-weeks.

What is a ScrumMaster?

The ScrumMaster is perhaps the most agile and essential person on the agile software development team. The ScrumMaster leads the team while working alongside the team members, assuring the well-being of each person on the team and that protocol is being followed, deadlines are met, and mentoring is achieved. The Scrum Master’s experience plays a crucial role in project success.

The Major Roles As Defined By Scrum Alliance: (Source)

The Hub of Business Value: The Product Owner

The Product Owner is the cornerstone and face of the project and is responsible for defining and prioritizing the work that must be completed. The Product Owner must be aware of project delivery expectations and why those elements are essential to the business. This person is also responsible for keeping others informed and expectations aligned with progress. The Product Owner is actively involved throughout the process, reviewing and reprioritizing outstanding work based on the shifting needs and feedback coming back through the various business channels. This person must make sure that work done aligns with objectives.

The Protector Of The Team: The ScrumMaster

The first significant role of the ScrumMaster is to make sure that the team is protected from outside distractions and can focus on the work at hand. Distractions can range from work area issues to interruptions from product owners that overstep their boundaries. The second important role the ScrumMaster plays is protecting the Scrum process. As the expert on how a Scrum works, it is their duty to ensure the development team stays within the Scrum framework and coaches team members on the most effective ways of doing so. The ScrumMaster is the master of accountability over the Agile process

The Autonomous Unit: The Development Team

On a Scrum team, accountability for the work runs down to each member of the development team. Combined within the team framework that typically consists of five to nine people, you will generally find full-stack consultants that can take on most of these tasks and others that specialize in architecture, design, development, and testing. However, although specialists meet these needs, the team must collaborate to achieve each sprint’s goals. The team is responsible for managing the work along with the ScrumMaster, providing support as needed. For these reasons, a strong bond can be expected and creates a positive work environment.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

Key Traits of Successful Agile Leaders

Author: Stevie Borne – Blackslate Software Agile Expert & Director of MomentumWorks

Agile transformations can take many forms, from a small pilot team trying to figure out what Agile might look like in their company, to an organization-wide transformation. Regardless of the scale, having the right type of leaders involved is critical to success. Without leadership support, even the best Agile teams cannot fully embrace an Agile mindset and values, thereby realizing the benefits of Agility.

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AGILE INSIGHTS

Fixed Bid and Agile: Can They Co-Exist Successfully?

Author: Stevie Borne – Blackslate Software Agile Expert & Director of MomentumWorks

When you hear the phrase “fixed bid project” you probably think of a project with a specified scope, budget, and timeline, emphasizing the budget. On the other hand, when you hear about Agile Projects, you probably think of an ongoing project with fluid scope and an undefined budget. The two appear opposed. But do they have to be? Is there a way for these two concepts to co-exist successfully on a project?

AGILE INSIGHTS

Agile Team Considerations

Author: Stevie Borne – Blackslate Software Agile Expert & Director of MomentumWorks

When creating Agile software delivery teams, it’s important to have the right set of skills to ensure the team can be successful. This means there needs to be more than just developers on the software delivery team. In this article we will explore these three key roles, in addition to the additional roles not mentioned in the guide that help agile software delivery teams be successful.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

Twelve Agile Principles Every Executive Should Know – Understanding Agile Methodology

Author: Tom Salonek – Blackslate Software, Founder & CEO

This Blackslate SoftwareExecutive Brief provides an Agile Methodology overview with related commentary about how scrum complements many agile principles. This paper will also expand your understanding of how to combine Agile and Scrum for the best results.

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AGILE INSIGHTS

Top Three Reasons Agile Transformations Struggle

Author: Stevie Borne – Blackslate Software Agile Expert & Director of MomentumWorks

Your company is in the midst of an Agile transformation, and you are responsible for its success, yet things are not going according to plan. Teams are not moving any faster than before the transformation began and may even be moving slower. People are not buying into the process changes, so there is conflict in various company areas. Thus far, the company has spent lots of money on this transformation but has little to show for it. What is going wrong? This article explores three of the top reasons Agile transformations struggle and how to overcome them.

AGILE INSIGHTS

Agile, How It Works, And Important Estimation Considerations

Agile development is more than a series of Sprints; it’s a proven methodology that can deliver fast results with less bureaucracy. However, without the right leadership your scrum can quickly get very chaotic.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

Three Essential Areas Relating To A Successful Agile Transformation

Author: Stevie Borne – Director of MomentumWorks™

You may be at the start of your Agile transformation journey or a few years into it. Either way, you want it to be successful. But what does success look like for you? More importantly, how do you get there? This article will discuss three essential tips to set up your organization for a successful Agile transformation.

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The Fastest Way To Build Software Is “Right” The First Time!

 

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Understanding your industry is one thing. Understanding the technology you are using is another. When you read studies that tell you that 75% of projects are doomed from the beginning, it has to make you pause before signing your name to the outcome.

Consider letting our proven professionals take a look at your project. They’ve seen what can go wrong and know how to avoid costly errors.

We build custom software from start to finish. We plug into your environment with the proven expertise you need for us to work independently or in co-development. And, we bring the soft-skills that make the task enjoyable, and the experience to leave your team stronger and ready to take over.

We Bring You…

Team-Complete™ Development

Blackslate Software's Team-Complete™ development means we make sure all the right people are seated at the table to assure success the first time. At blackslate Software, you always get the best of the best! Proven consultants dive deep into your project, analyze your objectives, and lead your project to success with the expertise and the soft-skills you expect from a leader.

Soft-Skills For A Winning Experience

Sometimes the most critical person in the room is the one with a calm voice and the knowledge to select the right words. Bringing a development team together or presenting a clear concept for stakeholders can make all the difference between success or failure. Blackslate Software consultants are at the top of their field. They navigate challenging decisions, guide with a confident voice, and know when to get out of the way.

Turn to Blackslate Software when you need it done right!

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