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Welcome back to our exploration of the 12 Agile Principles from the Agile Manifesto! In our last discussion, we emphasized the significance of face-to-face conversations in conveying information within the product developers. Today, we'll discuss about the seventh principle: 

"Working software is the primary measure of progress."

The seventh Agile Principle puts higher weightage on measuring if the developed software solution is working correctly or not. The success of the Product Goal depends on the results! So, you need to measure progress per the Sprint Goal to consider the software development a success. Now, let’s continue exploring the significance of the seventh principle in the Agile Manifesto!

Understanding The Essence Of The 7th Principle: Benefits Of Working Software

This Agile Principle underscores the tangible outcome of Agile Methodologies. Agile focuses on delivering functional software rather than getting lost in extensive documentation or prolonged discussions. So, Agile Developers must focus on software development that aligns with the end goal: producing a viable product.

Now, check out the main advantages of delivering working software:

1. Iterative Progress With Accelerated Time-to-Market: 

Agile Methodologies encourage multiple Iterations during the development cycles to make more increments in software functionalities. Teams can expedite the delivery process by focusing on working software as a measure of progress. This accelerated time-to-market offers organizations more excellent business value as they can capitalize on market opportunities swiftly.

2. Risk Mitigation With Custom-Centric Focus: 

By producing working software, Agile Teams identify potential issues early. This proactive approach minimizes risks associated with large-scale deployment. Plus, organizations align their efforts with customer-centric objectives. As a result, the Product Owner can ensure that the final product resonates with end-user expectations. This customer-centric focus enhances customer loyalty and satisfaction to develop long-term business-customer relationships.

3. Consistent Stakeholder Engagement: 

Nothing captivates stakeholders more than witnessing a functional product. It fosters trust and encourages active participation throughout. The Delivered functional software enables stakeholders to provide immediate feedback. This iterative process ensures that the end product aligns with user expectations.

How Does The Scrum Framework Fit Well For Delivering Working Software?

Within the Scrum framework, the emphasis on working software aligns with Agile principles. The Scrum Team, comprising Developers, a Scrum Master, and a Product Owner, collaborates to transform vision into tangible products. They collaborate like cross-functional teams to transform Product Backlog Items (PBIs) into functional Increments.

• Sprint Dynamics: Each Sprint encapsulates the quest for value-driven progress. The Scrum Team refines the product through iterative cycles, ensuring each increment resonates with stakeholders' expectations.
• Sprint Cycle: The Scrum Team commits to delivering a potentially usable product Increment by the end of each Sprint. This commitment ensures a relentless focus on producing working software.
• Product Backlog and User Stories: The Product Backlog, replete with User Stories, serves as a iteratively evolving pllan. Prioritizing items based on value ensures that the Scrum Team remains aligned with customer-centric objectives.
• Definition of Done: A cornerstone in Scrum, the Definition of Done clarifies what constitutes a completed PBI or Increment. Adhering to this standard reinforces the importance of delivering tangible results.

Thus, the Product Owner leads the Scrum Team to conduct frequent demos about their work progress. In return, they receive feedback from end-users and business partners about the Working Software. This iterative process ensures that subsequent Sprints align with evolving requirements and expectations.

Exploring How The World Leaders Are Utilizing The 7th Agile Principle On Working Software:

To contextualize this principle further, let's draw insights from industry leaders across Centene, USCellular, Nokia, Amazon, and Oracle. These leaders emphasize the intricate dance between functionality and value, illustrating the challenge of defining working software.

• Centene & UScellular: Leaders at Centene and UScellular stress the importance of aligning development efforts with customer expectations. For them, progress hinges on delivering software solutions that resonate with end-users, thereby defining true working software.
• Nokia & Amazon: Nokia and Amazon leaders delve deeper into the technical nuances. They advocate for rigorous testing and quality assurance, ensuring that working software functions and withstands real-world challenges.
• Oracle: At Oracle, the emphasis shifts towards scalability and adaptability. In this context, working software evolves with changing market dynamics, ensuring sustained value delivery.

Conclusion: The Essence of Value-Driven Progress

To summarize our discussion on the seventh Agile principle, we now know why it’s essential to prioritize working software over mere deliverables. As the Agile teams consider shifting toward value-driven outcomes, organizations improve their time-to-market with satisfied customers.

By intertwining functionality with value, you can also redefine the work progress of your teams and place your customers at the heart of your endeavors.

As we journey through the Agile landscape, let's embrace the symbiotic relationship between Agile Developers and Business Owners. We forge a path toward transformative success through practical demos and transparent communication as a commitment to value-driven outcomes.

Join us in our subsequent exploration of Agile principles as we continue to discover the other principles of the Agile Manifesto in coming blogs. 

Reference:

https://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html