Breaking Down Features in Agile Projects | iCert Global

Agile projects have been defined by their straightforward way of working that guarantees big jobs are divided into manageable pieces. Even the most difficult Agile projects are achieved step by step by splitting big jobs into little ones.

What is a Feature in Agile Methodology?

A feature is part of the product which does something or provides a service. It helps the business and achieves what the customers want.

Agile Methodology possesses some characteristics.

In order to work effectively, an Agile feature must always:

1. User-Centric Orientation: The functionality is designed for the user. The aim is to make sure the team ends up creating something that will be meaningful and useful to the users of the product.

2. Backlog Management: Features are put into a product backlog. This list indicates all the things or functions which need to be done.

3. Incremental Delivery: The features are delivered incrementally, in small chunks. This allows teams to deliver the pieces of the product in a quick manner, get feedback, and make adjustments if needed.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Varying teams with varying skills collaborate to produce features. Teams' cross-functional collaboration ensures that each aspect of the feature gets completed and is beneficial.

5. User Stories: Features are decomposed into tiny tasks called "user stories." They are brief descriptions of what the user wants or requires from the product.

6. Acceptance Criteria: Every feature has some rules referred to as "acceptance criteria." They inform us what we must do to complete the feature and make it available to be used.

7. Ongoing Improvement: Features are regularly improved. The team listens to users' and stakeholders' suggestions and update the features based on the feedback to improve the product.

8. Adaptability to Change: Agile teams are ready to make changes to the features, even if it happens late in the process.

9. Minimal Viable Product (MVP): In Agile, the primary objective is to deliver the most important features that enable the product to work.

10. Regular Demonstrations: The features are regularly demonstrated to stakeholders and users.

Steps to Develop Features in Agile Methodology

Step 1: Develop a Benefit Hypothesis Consider what users will benefit from.

Example: As a Product Manager, I identified that many customers prefer calling to rent a service rather than using our website. This happens because they want personalized help in selecting the right service.

Step 2: Business Value Estimation

Estimate the business value by employing metrics like user count, frequency of use, release date, and effort of development.

Step 3: Description

Explain the context of the feature and how the users make use of it. Highlight why it matters, not on technicalities.

Step 4: Define Acceptance Criteria/Definition of Done (DoD)

Define clear-cut rules that point to when a feature is finished. Features, such as user stories, contain conditions to verify how development is going.

Best Practices for Defining Agile Features Following these best practices will reduce mistakes and lead to more successful experiences when defining and working with features in Agile:

1. User-Centered Priorities: Always prioritize the needs, preferences, and issues of the final users when making feature decisions.

2. Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with stakeholders to determine the key functionalities for users and business objectives. The understanding is extremely crucial to the project's success.

3. Iterative Development: Accept that Agile works in steps. Regularly check and change features based on feedback, market changes, and new project needs. Always aim to improve.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitate easy implementation by encouraging collaboration among product owners, testers, and developers. Mutual understanding of features among the team prevents miscommunication.

5. Specific Acceptance Criteria: Establish specific criteria for every feature. This allows measurement when a feature is finished.

Who Writes Features in Agile Scrum?

The Scrum Guide is silent about who writes the features, but Scaled Agile, Inc. mentions that the features are owned by the Product Manager. They determine what should go into the feature and what amount of value it represents in the Backlog.

How big should product features be?

There is no rigid rule, but it is better if a feature is tiny. Attempt to complete it within three months or even quicker. This keeps features small, shippable, and can be refined later.

What are Feature Points?

Feature points assess how difficult a feature is and how much effort is required to complete it. Feature points are similar to story points, but for features rather than user stories. They assist Agile teams in planning and workload management more effectively.

1. Task Complexity Gauge Feature points give teams a means to estimate task complexity, helping to make work planning and control more manageable.

2. Comparison of Task Size With the comparison of tasks and feature points, teams can rank and assign resources. They do this in accordance with the size and complexity of each task.

3. Feature points are most crucial in Agile planning. They allow teams to select which tasks they should tackle first. This allows for the best use of time and resources.

4. Tracking Work Speed Feature aids in quantifying a team's velocity. It indicates how quickly tasks are completed. This also assists in forecasting how much work can be accommodated in subsequent sprints.

5. Teams learn and become better as they complete features and utilize feature points. They become better estimators as they improve. They learn from previous projects so they can make accurate predictions in the future.

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Conclusion

In short, it is crucial to define and control features well in order to succeed in Agile. With good practices and a focus on what the users need, teams are able to deliver value quickly. iCert Global's Agile certification courses can help you with the skills to understand Agile methods.

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