Agile software development is a process of building software or web applications that prioritizes working code (with “working” defined as accomplishing the users’ goals) through collaboration and iterations. The general concept has existed for decades but was formalized in 2001 when seventeen software developers wrote and published Manifesto for Agile Software Development.

The agile methodology has four primary values:

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

• Working software over comprehensive documentation

• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

• Responding to change over following a plan
  

Additionally, there are twelve guiding principles to help accomplish those values:

1. Customer satisfaction by early and continuous delivery of valuable software.

2. Welcoming changing requirements, even in late development.

3. Deliver working software frequently (weeks rather than months).

4. Close, daily cooperation between business people and developers.

5. Projects are built around motivated individuals who should be trusted.

6. Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication.

7. Working software is the primary measure of progress.

8. Sustainable development, able to maintain a constant pace.

9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design.

10. Simplicity—the art of maximizing the amount of work not done—is essential.

11. Best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.

12. Regularly, the team reflects on how to become more effective and adjusts accordingly.

Do these values and principles sound like a development process you would want for your custom software? We do—which is one of the many reasons why we love developing in FileMaker!

Due to FileMaker’s low-code basis, we can quickly create custom software applications and adjust when project requirements change. Of course, FileMaker also has the ability for in-depth calculations and scripting, making it a powerful platform to harness advanced tasks and functions. Its easy-to-use permissions and hides also enable beta testing with trusted users with live updates. We frequently will create an initial interface in a rapid fashion, then work with our users to refine or expand features.

If you want custom software where you’re involved and considered throughout the development process—and it solves your problems without creating more—you probably want your software to be developed using the agile methodology. And the FileMaker platform is designed to accomplish exactly that!

PK Information is a FileMaker-certified development agency serving the Tampa Bay, Miami Lakes, and Knoxville regions. We believe that great software can change everything.

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Are you curious about how FileMaker or the agile development methodology could help resolve your business problems? We’d love to discuss the possibilities with you! Please complete this form and we’ll connect shortly.