Agile, DevOps and software development methodologies
Agile software development, and popular variations such as Scrum, underpin the work of many developers and testers. Regardless of the team or methodology you currently use, read expert advice on process, structure and skills for Lean, Agile, DevOps, Waterfall and more to make it work in your enterprise.
Top Stories
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Tip
09 Aug 2024
How to weigh the benefits and challenges of CI/CD
Many organizations begin their DevOps journey with a continuous integration and delivery pipeline. Before getting started, understand some fundamental benefits of CI/CD. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2024
Sysdig Sage early adopters kick the tires on CNAPP AI agents
AI agents in Sysdig Sage add more sophisticated multi-step reasoning than is available with generic LLMs. But it's meant to assist humans, not replace them. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 Jan 2019
Pick up CI/CD, version control in this Azure DevOps tutorial
Microsoft's rebranded Azure DevOps helps teams take a software project from start to finish. Walk through the service's components, from project planning to pipelines and testing. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jan 2019
Why human instinct causes mistakes in project management
Project management isn't brain surgery, but it involves brain chemistry. A testing expert discusses how we instinctively value gains and losses and how it leads to bad decisions. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2019
GitOps, event handling will shape DevOps evolution
DevOps is all about swift application deployment, and faster methods can arrive over time. Tom Nolle explains two concepts that will spark DevOps' continued evolution. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2018
5 tips to jump-start a DevOps pipeline
DevOps is a trendy methodology -- and one many enterprises implement incorrectly. Pore over this popular expert advice from 2018 to carefully and correctly accelerate app delivery in 2019. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
12 Dec 2018
5 software development trends propel innovation in 2019
Get ready to jettison your comfort zone and dive into shift-right testing, IoT development and other emerging skill and coverage areas for software developers and testers. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Dec 2018
Foster cross-team collaboration with IM, mind maps and more
Build a collaborative workspace that's more than just an HR slogan. These tools get teams to talk and tackle problems together. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Dec 2018
Experts weigh in on DevOps transformation, QA topics
As the technology conference season winds down, sessions at Velocity and DevOps Enterprise Summit offer helpful insight for forward-thinking organizations. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Nov 2018
Ways to partially implement Agile and still get results
Pair programming, iterative workflows, timeboxed builds and other Agile tenets benefit app dev teams. Here's how to incorporate Agile practices and culture with minimal disruption. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2018
Enterprise devs win with Veracode's SaaS security spinout
Independent once again, Veracode will focus on its cloud-based test services that enable developers to add security to the software development lifecycle. Continue Reading
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Infographic
25 Oct 2018
DevOps metrics point to fast releases, open source adoption
You can always be better at DevOps. Assess these metrics from a variety of DevOps teams to see where you could stand to improve -- and give your team some positive reinforcement. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Oct 2018
Continuous testing in Agile means less work, more coverage
Rather than ride the turbulent roller coaster of testing bottlenecks and uncontrolled code updates, go on the steadily paced continuous testing Ferris wheel. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2018
CI/CD workflows, IT roles lead to organizational disharmony
Divides between IT teams and roles in an organization can impede software delivery, even if they use the right tools. Some companies have chipped away at those barriers. Continue Reading
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Podcast
02 Oct 2018
Enterprise value streams' role in a software delivery model
Do software delivery teams overstress speed and discount value? Mik Kersten, CEO of Tasktop, which produces value stream tools, shares his thoughts in this Test and Release episode. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2018
DevOps on-premises opportunities spur CloudBees-Lenovo pact
IT teams get a leg up in DevOps initiatives in data centers, as Lenovo enhances its server-side DevOps with OpenShift Solution with CloudBees Core, a CI/CD automation platform. Continue Reading
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News
19 Sep 2018
Sumo Logic breaks security data silos with cloud SIEM
Sumo Logic has added cloud security monitoring features that put security in context with business intelligence analytics. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Sep 2018
How to foster collaboration in software development
App owners, developers and testers are friends -- not enemies. If it doesn't always feel that way on your collaborative team, use these techniques to foster better communication. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2018
Microsoft seeks broader developer appeal with Azure DevOps
Azure DevOps, which replaces Visual Studio Team Services, offers a suite of five services to help developers plan, build and deploy software, even across platforms. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2018
Mature DevSecOps orgs refine developer security skills training
Some advanced organizations tackle DevSecOps with automated security for CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure, and will complete the picture with developer security skills training. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Sep 2018
Calibrate your definition of 'done' in Scrum to meet requirements
Get together with business leaders before software launches and find common ground to define done. One company's idea of perfect code is another's lurking disaster. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2018
SmartBear-Zephyr deal spotlights software quality tools shake-up
Competition has tightened in the software test market as vendors strategically acquire additional tools and align with developer ecosystem players. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Aug 2018
What are the top software testing methodologies?
Whether you want to discover new software testing methodologies or rejuvenate test cases, QA is all about efficiency. Evaluate these testing techniques and strategies to meet QA goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2018
How startups can accelerate a software product launch
At your software startup, product delivery must be top priority, even at the expense of some bells and whistles. Get creative with some shortcuts to deliver quality software. Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Aug 2018
The road to effective bot development in DevOps environments
A bot that simply helps you help yourself goes a long way in a DevOps environment. One bot that does one thing really well is better than an army of chatbots. Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Aug 2018
Q&A: Eric Mizell explains the reliability challenges of DevOps
DevOps teams face significant challenges, tasked to deliver code faster than ever. OverOps' Eric Mizell believes, though, continuous reliability can go hand in hand with CI/CD. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Jul 2018
A DevOps developer should be adaptable, creative
Unlike in the past, companies don't necessarily look to hire developers with hard technology skills. DevOps is changing the rules, so, for developers, it's time to get creative. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Jun 2018
How to save DevOps from cargo cult programming
The meaning of DevOps -- better cooperation between developers and operations professionals -- has been lost in many companies. Expert Theresa Neate explains what has to happen. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Jun 2018
OSS security requires DIY scrutiny, not trusting 'many eyes'
How many ways can hackers exploit the security flaws in open source? Cybersecurity experts count the ways and the approaches that can prevent costly security breaches. Continue Reading
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Opinion
29 May 2018
The secret to DevOps test automation? Pick your battles
The pain of software test automation is real, particularly in a DevOps environment. But what if it was possible to approach it all differently? App maker Airtasker has a plan. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 May 2018
Amp up OSS security with these steps
A test vendor's CTO describes the OSS security mistakes that enterprises make, such as not patching vulnerabilities or inaccurate inventory dependencies. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 May 2018
Improve the rapid application development model for deployment readiness
Get a better understanding of the top three areas in IT to improve a rapid application development model. Expert Tom Nolle discusses the future of RAD and DevOps. Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 May 2018
Salary snapshot: Test automation engineer salaries in four cities
It seems nearly any job related to DevOps carries a higher salary, and test automation is no exception. Here's our salary snapshot of test automation engineers in four U.S. cities. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 May 2018
Why new feature testing should be at the heart of DevOps
Continuous testing is a good idea, but if used as a Band-Aid, it will miss things. Expert Matt Heusser explains why the focus should be on new feature testing. Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 May 2018
It's past time to revisit Agile's definition of 'done'
The definition of 'done' only covers what happens on the dev side. So, it's not very useful in a DevOps shop. Expert Theresa Neate explains what needs to change. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Apr 2018
Automated security testing frees devs to prevent breaches
Common software security mistakes include testing at the last minute and not testing open source code and VMs. Expert Matt Heusser suggests ways to avoid these and other missteps. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Apr 2018
Why software resilience should be the real goal of DevOps
To improve your software development process, use DevOps to create a resilient system. Expert Matthew Heusser explains why reliability is no longer the goal. Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2018
Failure to secure open source code spurs DevSecOps boom
A survey of over 2,000 IT pros shows that fear of data breaches is increasing investments in DevSecOps tools, particularly automated security tools and oversight of open source software. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Apr 2018
How a DevSecOps process gives security a voice
Security teams have worked quietly in the background of software quality projects for years. The DevSecOps process puts the long-lost co-worker, security, front and center. Continue Reading
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Quiz
09 Apr 2018
Agile vs. DevOps: Test your software methodology knowledge
To develop software faster, Agile or DevOps can help. But that doesn't make either choice easy. Test your knowledge to see if you understand what makes each methodology unique. Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Mar 2018
Database virtualization lets developers code with confidence
For the longest time, sharing a database has meant long nights for developers. But as more and more organizations adopt virtualized databases, those days are numbered. Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2018
IBM Cloud Garage Method on display at Think conference
Playing to its roots in services, IBM plans to demonstrate how its Garage development methodology can help startups and enterprises 'think' through cloud projects. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Mar 2018
Get the most out of continuous testing with Jenkins
With dev cycles shrinking all the time, Jenkins' compatibility continues to evolve. Set up Jenkins for effective CI/CD with quality plug-ins that enable continuous testing. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Mar 2018
A complete beginner's guide to blending DevOps and security
DevSecOps sounds like a mouthful for those new to DevOps, but building security in from the start is key to DevOps success. Expert Kevin Beaver explains. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Feb 2018
A comprehensive beginner's guide to DevOps for testers
Newcomers to DevOps have a steep learning curve and nowhere more so than in test. Expert Matthew Heusser has a beginner's guide to DevOps and testing. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2018
A comprehensive beginner's guide to DevOps for developers
Starting DevOps in your organization and not sure where to begin? Cameron McKenzie explains everything a developer needs to know to successfully begin the DevOps process. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2018
CloudBees' Codeship acquisition signals DevOps consolidation
CloudBees acquires Codeship's SaaS-based CI/CD offering to broaden its portfolio for small and large customers, and further consolidates the DevOps tools market. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Feb 2018
How developers can use SageMaker for DevOps machine learning
SageMaker from AWS gives software developers a way to tackle AI and machine learning. But expert Torsten Volk said it will also require lots of experimenting. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Jan 2018
Why the promise of low-code software platforms is deceiving
Low-code/no-code platforms mean anyone can code, right? Wrong. Columnist Bob Reselman explains why this is a dangerous thought for enterprises. Continue Reading
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Opinion
29 Jan 2018
How the Testing Manifesto is going to change development
Thinking about software quality and testing is happening too late in the process. The antidote is a new set of guidelines that will change how everyone thinks about testing. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jan 2018
continuous quality
Continuous quality is a systematic approach to finding and fixing software defects during all phases of the software development cycle. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Jan 2018
What skills do Agile testers need?
The Agile team collaborates closely and makes a lot of changes. What does the ideal Agile tester possess in technical and people skills? Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Jan 2018
What breakthroughs we won't (and will) see in DevOps 2018
Will 2018 be the best of times for DevOps? Perhaps. But there's no doubt sweeping changes on the developer and operations sides are coming. Here's what to prepare for. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
06 Nov 2017
Guide to DevOps Enterprise Summit 2017
Industry giants are coming together once again for the annual DevOps Enterprise Summit. Learn what is trending in DevOps, IT ops, AI and machine learning. Continue Reading
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Guide
23 Aug 2017
Making the Agile development model current again
From test automation to software design and empowering leadership, discussions at Agile2017 focused on how to move forward in the current state of the Agile development model. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Jul 2017
David vs. Goliath no more, Agile adoption is the new standard
As Agile adoption grows, companies should not be looking to specialists to support agility, says Joseph Flahiff. Make Agile coaching a standard job requirement for team managers. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2017
Five ways to reduce technical debt, rework costs in Agile, DevOps
Learn five ways to reduce technical debt and the high cost of rework in Agile and DevOps software development. Five software pros share their best practices. Continue Reading
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Guide
30 Nov 2016
Why -- and how -- BizDevOps is going to change everything
BizDevOps is the latest in software development approaches and is considered a next-gen DevOps. Find all there is to know about this trend and why businesses are racing after it. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Sep 2016
Comparing development methodologies: Agile vs. DevOps vs. Lean Startup
It's a confusing, jargon-filled world out there. Expert Christopher Ward brings clarity in part one of a series of articles on the differences between Lean, Agile and DevOps. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2016
When DevOps and requirements gathering techniques collide
Moving from Agile to DevOps? Requirements gathering is a great place to start rethinking and incorporating a high level of collaboration. Expert Christopher Ward explains. Continue Reading
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Podcast
02 May 2016
Overcome inherent bottlenecks in app lifecycle management
The software development world is simply too busy to have inefficient ALM. Expert Gerie Owen reimagines app lifecycle management as something streamlined and totally painless. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Mar 2016
What is the DevOps role for operations people?
In a DevOps world, it can be hard to know where Dev ends and Ops starts. Expert Tim Western explains what the various DevOps roles can and should be. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Oct 2015
Three traits of a mature Agile team
What it takes to have successful mobile project development might surprise you. Expert Jennifer Lent shares the secrets around creating a mature Agile team. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Sep 2015
Kony Studio: A mobile app development platform
Kony Studio is a mobile app development platform that allows developers to build native or cross-platform apps using a single JavaScript codebase. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Sep 2015
Rally Software the go-to ALM tool for Agile developers
Rally Software gives Agile developers an ALM tool that, along with customizable dashboards, offers SAFe training and certification. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Sep 2015
Product owners don't have time to write Agile user stories? You write them.
If the product owner won't or can't write the vital Agile user stories, expert Ben Linders explains how to take on this project yourself. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Aug 2015
What is collaboration and why is it important to Agile methodologies?
Agile methodologies stress the benefits of collaboration, working with cross-functional teams to encourage communication between business owners and IT. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jul 2015
What you need to know about the ALM methodology
Gerie Owen provides an overview of ALM methodology, covering its requirements, development and maintenance phases and its core components. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Mar 2015
Agile Manifesto: Both timeless and outdated?
The Agile Manifesto changed the way we look at the software development process. Today, the Manifesto is outdated in some ways and timeless in others. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Feb 2015
Three traits of continuous software development
What is 'continuous' in software development? Combining iterative development with automation produces code so quickly it is now thought of as continuous. Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Feb 2015
Four principles for staying true to real Agile
Over time, software teams develop their own variants of Agile. Here's how to make sure your practice remains aligned with the spirit of Agile. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Dec 2014
How do requirements relate to acceptance criteria?
Requirements and acceptance criteria often seem to be essentially the same thing, but that's not quite true. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Dec 2014
build server
A build server is a machine on which a software project can be continuously built from changes that are committed to the repository. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Oct 2014
Is Agile requirement gathering that different from waterfall?
Does moving to Agile development eliminate up-front requirements gathering? Does it mean the development team takes responsibility for requirements instead of the business side? Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Sep 2014
Agile testing methods for multiple teams
Learn the latest Agile testing methods for converting multiple teams from a traditional process to Agile. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2014
CI success depends on quality acceptance criteria
Successful continuous integration requires testable acceptance criteria that help to guide developers. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2014
Agile application lifecycle management is not an oxymoron
Learn how Agile application lifecycle management supports the development process for better software and business needs. Continue Reading
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Quiz
06 Mar 2014
ALM and the Agile development methodology: What do you know?
Test your knowledge of application lifecycle management when it's merged with the Agile development methodology. Continue Reading
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Guide
24 Feb 2014
All about Agile and ALM
When it comes to deployment strategies, mobile app capabilities, cloud computing issues and security, there's a lot to learn about Agile ALM. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2014
Agile project management: Increasing business agility with Agile ALM
Increase business agility capabilities with Agile project management. Find tips and tools for Agile ALM best practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2014
Agile and ALM: A marriage made in heaven?
Learn why developing Agile and ALM can benefit organizational processes. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2014
How Agile ALM tools shape business agility
Learn how Agile ALM tools can increase agility in businesses. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Sep 2013
The risks of Agile software development: Overcoming feature creep
Ellen Gottesdiener, founder of EBG Consulting offers insights on managing feature creep, the biggest pitfall of Agile software development. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Apr 2013
Scrum project management: Estimating with story points
Scrum project management expert Yvette Francino explains how teams use story points to estimate effort involved in developing a particular feature. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jul 2012
Agile project management using the Cynefin framework
Learn how the Cynefin framework facilitates problem solving, Agile project management and teamwork. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Mar 2012
Exploring integration testing in the Agile development lifecycle
Agile expert Lisa Crispin explores the various meanings and offers tips to testers on how to work integration testing into the Agile development lifecycle. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2012
Streamlining user acceptance testing (UAT) with Agile
Organizations that implement successful user acceptance testing can greatly reduce errors and business risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2012
Agile testing quadrants: Guiding managers and teams in test strategies
Agile expert Lisa Crispin explains the four Agile testing quadrants and how they can guide managers and development teams in creating a test strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2011
Defect tracking: Lean principles for getting the right data at the right time
In this tip, author Paul E. McMahon describes how Lean principles can be used to help determine when defect tracking is appropriate for your organization and what type of data is important to collect. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Sep 2011
Exploratory testing and regression testing in continuous integration
Expert Lisa Crispin explains how and when to implement exploratory testing, automated regression testing and manual regression tests in an Agile development environment. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2011
The whole-team approach to Agile development: Examples and benefits
Lisa Crispin continues in this second tip in the series by giving real-life examples and benefits gained from practicing the whole-team approach on Agile development teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Aug 2011
Agile software development: Tips for writing testable user stories
Testing pressures are always high on Agile projects. In this article we explore some of the ways adding clarity to stories can help make testing easier for all parties involved. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Mar 2011
Tracking changes to requirements in Agile development
All development teams need to track requirements changes, but depending on the software development lifecycle and overall ALM process, the best approach to change tracking may not be the same across the board. In this response, expert Mike Jones explains how Agile teams can best integrate change tracking into their development process. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Mar 2011
Attracting the right Agile software developers
A lot of software development job candidates will claim to have Agile skills, but are they just throwing around buzzwords? In this tip, consultant Catherine Powell will help you find the qualified candidates who live out the values and practices of Agile in their daily work. Read more for ideas of how to attract Agile candidates and ensure those you hire will fit well on your Agile team. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Feb 2011
Waterfall vs. Agile development: A case study
Two projects very similar in scope were executed by the same project team for the same users. The first project used a waterfall methodology and resulted in missed deadlines and failure to deliver user requirements. The second used an Agile methodology, and while there were initial problems with the learning curve, the project was a resounding success. Read on to find out more about the projects, what worked and what didn't. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jan 2011
Agile ALM tools: How they differ from traditional lifecycle management tools
Software consultant Nari Kannan describes the differences between agile application lifecycle management (ALM) tools and traditional lifecycle management software. Agile ALM tools are more tightly integrated, easier to use, supportive to distributed teams and seamlessly integrated into many of the traditional lifecycle management functions. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jan 2011
Specialized testing for your enterprise application
In this tip, Judith Myerson describes examples of five types of testing for your enterprise applications: cloud testing, user acceptance testing, modular testing, agile testing and incremental testing. Myerson gives a brief overview of each type of testing, explaining the appropriateness and benefits of these types of specialized testing efforts. Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2010
Innovation games provide a new way of thinking
Participation in Innovation Games may be just the trick needed to turn dysfunctional teams trying to be agile into full-fledged agile machines. Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2010
Elizabeth Woodward: Face-to-face communication is biggest challenge with distributed Scrum
From Agile 2010, Elizabeth Woodard of IBM describes the form and function of distributed agile teams. Woodard recently authored a self-help manual titled "A Practical Guide to Distributed Scrum" which is designed to tech how to manage remote agile teams. Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2010
Lunching with the Agile Manifesto signatories at Agile 2010
At Agile 2010, Yvette Francino lunched with agile manifesto originators Brian Marick and Alistair Cockburn. The two described for their small audience how the manifesto was designed, written and signed. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Aug 2010
stand-up
In agile software development, a stand-up is a daily progress meeting, traditionally held within a development area. Business customers may attend for the purpose of gathering information. (Continued...) Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Aug 2010
source code analysis
Source code analysis is the automated testing of source code for the purpose of debugging a computer program or application before it is distributed or sold. Continue Reading