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
23 Jul 2025
Product backlog vs. sprint backlog: What's the difference?
The sprint backlog and product backlog are important elements of Scrum and essential to iterative and incremental development. Here's how they are distinct and also work together. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jul 2025
Acceptance criteria vs. definition of done: What's the difference?
Software teams must understand the important distinction between acceptance criteria and definition of done and how to use them together to deliver a finished product. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Feb 2010
Using Fist of Five, Planning Poker to reach Agile team consensus
In these tips, consensus-building tools such as Fist of Five and Planning Poker are introduced. Even when these tools are used, the team must decide how they are going to handle a stale-mate condition and move forward on decisions. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2010
Top Agile development tips of 2009
This is a yearly recap of our top viewed Agile tips and tricks. Tips include how to accelerate testing and development through agile work environments to how to select free tools Continue Reading
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News
17 Nov 2009
Flexibility and teamwork proven traits of Agile team maturity
In an Agile Development Practices session last week, Bob Galen an independent consultant and Agile coach, explained proven characteristics of mature Agile teams and how to make use of them. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2009
Using Agile, scaling back helps software projects in recession
Software project consultant defends proven Agile qualities to practice in a recession, what corporate attitudes testers and developers can expect from managers and how to improve their workflow. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2009
How testers can handle switching to Agile's short iterations
Software pro explains how to prioritize tasks through an agile mindset to optimize workflow productivity and turn-around iterations in shorter intervals. Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2009
STPCon: How SocialText uses Agile, wikis and remote developers
Matt Heusser explains his contributions to his company, SocialText, a workplace social networking software developer, who has benefited greatly through an agile structure. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2009
First takes on Boston SPIN with Damon Poole and STPCon
Test pro Matt Heusser shares key points from "Do It Yourself Agile" author Damon Poole's talk at a Boston software user group meeting. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2009
Boston SPIN: A small group's big ideas about agile development
SPIN is a network of testers and QA pros that meet a few times a year to discuss the software industry, the group has grown to over 1,100 members in it's 17 year history. This year agile development was the major focus, here is what was said. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jul 2009
Adaptation in project management through agile
Project managers often focus on following the test plan versus agile leaders who expect change and are prepared to adapt on the fly, learn how to transition quicly in this chapter from Agile Project Management by Jim Highsmith Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2009
How Covad made the switch to a distributed agile development process
Waterfall methodologies weren't working for Covad Communications, so the company switched its process to agile and cut costs while achieving faster project completions. Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2009
Can traditional project management and agile development coexist?
Are traditional project managers and agile practitioners fundamentally at odds? Or can they live together and even complement each other? Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2009
How teams transition to agile development methodologies
Organizations usually move to agile development methods for the same reasons -- scope creep, time to market -- but details of the transition can vary from team to team. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2009
Big Blue dog learns new tricks: How IBM Software Group moved to agile
In this case study, Sue McKinney, vice president of IBM's development transformation, explains how and why the IBM Software Group made the transition to agile. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Sep 2008
Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship, Chapter 1 -- What Is Clean Code?
Agile software development calls on developers to write clean code, according to Robert "Uncle Bob" Martin. This free chapter introduces the concepts and methods programmers can adopt to write truly clean code. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Nov 2007
Five steps for performing an effective software product review
Review or inspection is an important activity in any project implementation. Performing a good review of the developed product, along with capturing metrics, helps in building a quality product. In this member-submitted article, Murugan Srinivasa points out the significance of software metrics in guaranteeing an effective review of any software product. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Sep 2006
application firewall
An application firewall is an enhanced firewall that limits access by applications to the operating system (OS) of a computer... (Continued) Continue Reading