A Programmers Take on Agile Software Development

A Case for Agile: Benefits for a Programmer’s Career by Theodore Nguyen-Cao

Through agile development, I’ve been able to deliver working software time and time again. I’ve been exposed to all different aspects of the business. I’ve learn what I like and don’t like to do. I’ve learn what pieces of business I’m interested in and the pieces I don’t care much for. I’ve developed some really good working relationships. I’ve tackled some hard problems. I’ve learned to respond and adapt to the change and turmoil of a startup.

Most importantly, I still feel I’m growing as a developer. I honestly believe the best thing a developer can do in their career is to always be learning. Everything else will follow.

I am also a strong proponent of agile software development. Information Technology projects have a poor success rate. The best method, I have found, to provide better software solutions is agile development (and I find a grounding in management improvement techniques is useful – customer focus, process improvement, systems thinking, understanding variation, data driven management…). My experience is with custom application development (rather than developing Commercial Off The Shelf software – COTS) for which I think agile is a great fit.

Related: Joy in Work for ProgrammersAgile Software Development PresentationMetrics and Software DevelopmentManagement Science for Software EngineeringProgrammers at WorkJoel Management

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3 Responses to A Programmers Take on Agile Software Development

  1. Pingback: Curious Cat Management Improvement Blog » The Power of Small Teams

  2. Pingback: Curious Cat Management Blog » The Manager FAQ

  3. tushar says:

    Hi, thank you for this post I agree with you that Information Technology projects have a poor success rate. The best method, I have found, to provide better software solutions is agile development. very useful information

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