Right now, I’m creating a presentation for a session I will give on wednesday at the Fontys college about Analysis and Design. Even on the first slide, I created a deadlock for myself. I state, the only real value is to be found in a working product.
So, I would like to state the obvious, analysis and design are there to determine where we can find the value for the customer, or end user. But don’t we need to make it more measurable? Without making it an extensive and, therefor, expensive process.
Analysis and Design in an Agile Software Development project is an ongoing process. We need it to set the boundaries in which we can develop. Analysis is used to create a common goal within our project, Design to create a vision for our project. We need both to make sure we create real value on time, within the budget we determine.
Where the value is to be found, and what this value is, is determined and facilitated by analysis and design. Therefor we need this phase in our projects. It doesn’t mean we need to document extensively. Documentation in this phase of the project only is needed if it creates value.
There we go, analysis and design actually do create value within our project, because it shows us where to find the value for the end user, or customer, and how to implement it. Just do it without the right approach and with a ‘lean’ mind.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
There are a lot of things in software development apart from analysis and design that do not provide value for itself but are necessary to build value at all: planning, code reviews, retrospectives, all meetings, …
Important is that all these activities are done with a minimum of effort and just-in-time to eliminate potential waste (to use lean language).
Good luck for your presentation!
Thanks Urs,
And yes: I completely agree. Even an addition: only do the stuff you actually need. There are too much meetings anyway, eliminate where you can…. Although communication in an Agile project is crucial.
Thanks, I will have fun during my presentation, thanks for the success-wishes!