Developing mobile apps is no longer left only for the tech wizards in Silicon Valley working to create the next big thing. Have a strong mobile presence is essential, and it’s something even very small businesses are focusing on, as the prevalence of mobile continues to expand.
Whether a business is large or small, developing a mobile app can feel like a big undertaking, and people vary when they give estimates on how long development can take. It tends to range anywhere from a few weeks to several months, although this is largely dependent on the size and complexity of the app.
Regardless, using an agile framework can significantly speed up development and make for a more successful overall project.
For any business that’s planning on developing an app, the following are some key things to know about agile design and development.
Agile is Ideal for Mobile Apps
Mobile apps have to be changed and updated pretty often to keep up with customer and technical demands. Adopting an agile development framework is going to help with that because there’s an inherent sense of flexibility in the design and development process.
There’s more fluidity in agile design, and that is key to strong mobile app development. In fact, one of the key tenants of agile development is anticipating the need for change and also being open to it and looking at it as beneficial.
Consider Basing Roles on Scrum
Scrum is a more specific type of agile framework that is also inherently flexible and is defined by a sense of transparency between the project and the person the project is being done for. Whether you’re developing the app in-house or outsourcing it, scrum can be of value to you, even if you just borrow bits and pieces of this approach.
One area to look at regarding Scrum are the roles people take. The key roles include the product owner, the development team, and the leader, who often has a Scrum Master certification. While you might not have these exact positions during your development process, having functions loosely based on these concepts can help things move along expediently and with a sense of transparency and collaboration.
Testing Should Be Emphasized
The success of any app is almost entirely based on the user experience, and this is yet another reason the agile development methodology can be helpful. It’s very reliant on extensive testing, and by putting a lot of your focus on testing and outcomes during the development phase for a mobile app, you’re increasing the likelihood of an excellent user experience once the app is launched.
With agile development, there is a close interaction between the people developing the app and the end user, so it’s not just about simply testing to make sure it works. It’s about testing to see how users will interact with the app.
Whether you’re a small business planning the launch of a simple mobile app for your customers, or you’re a larger enterprise that wants to launch a complex new app, relying on the principles of agile development and scrum can be a good way to make sure you’re on time, on budget and you create the best possible product.
