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2.2. Notable Agile Methodologies

Because so many Agile methodologies are out there, and because each of them has different parts that take a bit of time to absorb, this chapter briefly touches on just two of them: Scrum and XP. Once you take the brief tour of these methodologies, you can incorporate the ideas you want from each to make things work.

Some people feel a little anxious about mixing methodologies. However, that is actually at the heart of being agile. Where Agile with a capital "A" focuses on the purity of the model, agile with a small "a" focuses on freeing you up to do whatever will help you quickly and easily achieve your goals. Being "agile" is about being adaptive and fast on your feet.

In the real world when you are working with clients, any time you have to decide between getting things done on schedule and strictly adhering to theoretical rules, always err on the side of getting things done. It may get under your skin a bit, but it's really the only way to keep the customer happy.

2.2.1. Scrum

Scrum is an Agile project management methodology that offers small teams a great deal of flexibility (even by Agile standards). Here are the typical attributes of a Scrum undertaking:

• You need a product backlog — a prioritized list of work items that need completion.

• The self-organizing team uses the product backlog to create sprint backlogs.

• Each sprint is a short period of duration (usually 1 to 4 weeks) in which highly focused activity takes place.

• Each sprint begins ...