Agile TLC Nemir - National Conference of State Legislatures · Project Leader Perspective Benefits...
Transcript of Agile TLC Nemir - National Conference of State Legislatures · Project Leader Perspective Benefits...
Agile Development
Perspectives from the Texas Legislative council
ParticipantsPaul Prachyl, Deputy Director of Applications ([email protected])
Joe Diana, Project Manager ([email protected])
Amber Snyder, Office Consultant ([email protected])
Amy Crandell, Agile Quality Assurance Analyst ([email protected])
Craig Whisenhunt, Developer ([email protected])
MANAGER PERSPECTIVEAgile Development
Manager PerspectiveOverview
TLC Development EnvironmentWhy AgileOur ApproachPartner with a CoachLessons Learned
Manager PerspectiveTLC Development Environment
IS DivisionTeams Composition – Teams of TeamsGoal - Quality Software and SupportClient Interaction
Manager PerspectiveWhy Agile?
Complexities of Highly Automated EnvironmentClient's Desire for More InvolvementTestingGauging Success
Manager PerspectiveOur Approach
Agile Promoted from WithinEducation on AgileHealth Check – Are we Ready?Consider the Whole Team - Methodology Effects Everyone
Manager PerspectivePartner with a Coach
Partner Values = Ours?Holistic ApproachPilot ProjectMentoring
Manager PerspectivePilot Project
Who Goes First?Team SelectionRegroup and Commit
Manager PerspectiveLessons Learned
SuccessesTeam workCommunicationIncreased ProductivityCelebration of SuccessAcceptance from the Bottom Up
Manager PerspectiveLessons Learned
ChallengesProduct Owner / Client InvolvementManaging Conflicting SchedulesTrainingTransition takes time
PROJECT LEADER PERSPECTIVE
Agile Development
Project Leader PerspectiveBenefits of Agile
Agile principles produce happier clientsGive clients more visibility into the processDemo working code as you go alongGather requirements just-in-timeBuild just what you need, use that information to move forwardMake the client prioritize work
Project Leader PerspectiveBenefits of Agile
Agile principles produce a happier teamProvide a common working areaEncourage pair programmingGather requirements just-in-timeEstimate at a higher levelSet a consistent iteration scheduleHold retrospectives after each iteration
Project Leader PerspectiveBenefits of Agile
Agile principles allow better utilization of resources
Teams are more self-directed(But you still need a champion)
Developers learn from each other through pair programmingCross-training happens naturallyMore developers to support an applicationEmpowering people fosters ownership
Project Leader Perspective Challenges of Agile
Understanding roles and responsibilities for matrixed team membersDefining user stories is an artLong-term planning is not hard, but differentNew technologies require a learning curve
CUSTOMER SUPPORTPERSPECTIVE
Agile Development
Customer Support PerspectiveCMS Project
What is CMS? Largest non-legislative applicationUsed through out the yearVB6 application that needs to be written in newer technology
Why Consultant Involvement?Knows the client work processFamiliar with the applicationEnhancement requests usually come through the consultant
Customer Support PerspectiveCMS Project
Agile and CMS – Team WorkWhole team was learning at the same time Took some time to learn our roles Everyone's opinion was important Not everything has to perfectA backlog isn't a BAD thingProgrammers have some really great ideas
Customer Support PerspectiveCMS Project
What I learned as Product OwnerI needed help Knowing the clients process is a mustAttending meetings and Scrums is importantStay focused on the goal – iteration only The first idea isn't always the best
Customer Support PerspectiveCMS Project
The First Idea
Customer Support PerspectiveCMS Project
The Better Idea
Customer Support PerspectiveCMS Project
What the Agile Process AllowedIt's OK if the first idea doesn't workFeedback is quickYou can change your mindFix it time is shorterNot everything has to fall into place at onceThe Team made the process work!!
Customer Support PerspectiveCMS Project
How Agile Fits with Customer Support Clients see our progressThey have a say in what is happeningThey have say in the priority orderKnowledge of the application before deployment
Customer Support PerspectiveSALSA Project (SALSA)
What is SALSA?A suite of applications used by the legislative professional to manage documents – i.e., the bills used by the legislature.Last session, over 30,000 bill related documents were stored using SALSA.This project involved rewriting the shared code, but leaving the interface intact
Consultants involvement reasons identical to CMS.
Customer Support PerspectiveBenefits of Agile (SALSA)
Better knowledge of the applicationEarlier participationActive involvement writing user storiesActive involvement writing user acceptanceChoose the order stories are completedParticipation in daily scrumsAvailable in work area to answer questions from developers
Customer Support PerspectiveBenefits of Agile (SALSA)
Testing is easierSmaller chunks are more manageableRequirements are expressed as testsBug fixes can be worked into the plan without stressing the teamTest plans can be written and used in smaller pieces.
Customer Support PerspectiveChallenges of Agile (SALSA)
Communicating with other customer support coworkers who are not as involved.Defining how to release to the clients to viewWriting documentationPreparing valid data for testing.
Developer PerspectiveBenefits of Agile
Greater efficiencies through effortless communication
Pair programmingGroup work areaScrum (daily team and stakeholder meeting)Daily meetings last less than 10-15 minutesConstant and consistent feedback loop with the product owner and all team members (DBAs, WSG, CSC, Managers, Supervisors)
Developer PerspectiveChallenges of Agile
Work area paradigm shiftNo more individual cube isolationAdjust to open work area, closer quartersHigher ambient noise level due to increased coworker interactionNecessary cooperation between team members on maintaining a work space that consistently fosters a productive and peaceful environment through mutual respect and consideration
Developer PerspectiveChallenges of Agile
Learning CurvenHiberbnateUnit TestsFitnesseTFS.NET
SUMMARY
Agile Perspectives