Category Archives: agile

YAGNI

Source: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-yagni-principle-you-arent-gonna-need-it/

This article is titled “What is YAGNI principle (You Aren’t Gonna Need IT)?” YAGNI is “a principle in software development that suggests developers should only implement features that are necessary for the current requirements and not add any additional functionality that might be needed in the future.” The reasoning for this is that if you add features that might potentially be needed in the future, there will be risk for more bugs, increased complexity, and increased times of development, thus leading to increased cost. The YAGNI principle is similar to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid), which also advocates for simplicity, it encourages developers to avoid complexity when it isn’t necessary. Developers should follow the YAGNI principle if they wish to keep the following costs in mind: the cost of building, delay, carry, and repair. The cost of building refers to the total cost of efforts and resources implemented in the project. Building things that aren’t needed leads to increased costs overall. Cost of delay refers to missed opportunities, if you spend time on unnecessary features, the development of more important ones will inevitably be delayed. Cost of carry refers to the difficulties of having unnecessary complex features. These complexities make it difficult to work on other parts of a software project, require more time, lead to an increased cost, and overall cause harder times moving forward. Lastly, the cost of repair, or technical debt, refers to the costs associated with bugs or mistakes that occur during the development process. YAGNI is important to ensure that the development process is focused, efficient, and cost-effective. YAGNI can be implemented into your code by prioritizing communication between team members. Ensuring that necessary requirements are met, a simple plan is made, ignoring ideas that don’t meet goals or deadlines, and keeping good records of project progress will allow your team to follow the YAGNI principle. YAGNI allows for simplicity, faster development, flexibility, reduced risk, and cost savings by complementing other development principles while prioritizing unnecessary implementations.

I chose this article because I appreciate how geeksforgeeks simplifies topics within the software development community. I don’t recall this principle being explicitly mentioned in class, but we have definitely alluded to it and I thought it’d be beneficial to read about it more, considering that it is in the syllabus. It was interesting to learn that the YAGNI principle complements other software development principles, such as the KISS principle, and compiles them into a unique principle that prioritizes simplicity over complexity and more features. It embodies the idea of “less is more.” This is a great set of guidelines I’ll be sure to follow in industry because it promotes that sometimes less work isn’t a bad thing. Instead of creating a multitude of features, ensuring that the ones that are critical, and required sooner, are being developed, will still get the job done.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Shawn In Tech by Shawn Budzinski and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Takes on how to become an effective team

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zDX8VqvBa0

I came across another interesting podcast episode from Beyond Coding. This time, the episode I watched focused on Effective Product Teams, featuring Anne Kooijman, currently a Product Owner at Coolblue. The conversation between her and the host covered various topics related to team management and ways to build an effective product team.

The reason I chose this resource is that it provides real-world solutions to straightforward questions. The host, Patrick Akil, mentioned that he recently took on an assignment as a Project Manager. He asked many interesting questions, some of which I had myself.

A couple of specific points caught my attention, and I’d like to share them with you. The first was Anne’s perspective on what is required for a team to deliver quality work. She said, “Give them the necessary tools and the theoretical background.” I found this fascinating because you shouldn’t give developers half-baked solutions or dictate how to solve a problem. Doing so might make it harder for them to translate someone else’s idea into code. Instead, provide them with the necessary knowledge and tools to figure out solutions on their own and let them do it.

Another topic Anne discussed was how companies sometimes deviate from the core principles of Scrum and the potential outcomes of those deviations. She pointed out that there’s no issue with straying from what the “constitution” of Scrum dictates if it leads to improvements. This is intriguing because Scrum is meant to provide a framework, not a rulebook. Different teams consist of different people who may respond differently to certain changes. Personally, I imagine that I wouldn’t react well to constantly changing sprint durations.

They also discussed goal-driven teams and how having goals is essential for team effectiveness. This resonates with me, as it aligns with a practice, I adopted this semester. This isn’t meant to criticize how others manage their responsibilities but to connect the podcast’s ideas with my own experience. For the first time this semester, I decided to only consume entertainment during my free hours once all my tasks were completed. It sounds simple and cliché, but it works—just like Scrum. Teams need a singular goal, and the focus should remain on that goal.

This brings us to the final topic: timelines, and how even flexible and inconsistent timelines can be better than having none. This concept challenged something I’ve always believed—that if you’re going to do something, do it right and to the best of your abilities, or don’t do it at all. However, I realized that some flexibility in timelines is necessary to allow for adaptation and growth.

From the blog CS@Worcester – CS Today by Guilherme Salazar Almeida Nazareth and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Masters in Scrum

One method I’ve encountered repeatedly in both my coursework and during discussions with peers is Agile—specifically, the Scrum framework. To better understand it, I recently read an article titled “Scrum Mastering the 3 Pillars, 5 Values, and 7 Key Principles of Agile Project Management”, which provides a clear breakdown of how Scrum works and why it’s so effective in software development. I found this resource insightful, and it’s something I can definitely apply in my future

The article explains the fundamental elements of Scrum, which include the 3 Pillars, 5 Values, and 7 Key Principles that form the foundation of this Agile framework. The 3 Pillars—Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation—ensure that the process is open, regularly assessed, and flexible. The 5 Values—Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness, and Respect—help create a collaborative and supportive team environment. Finally, the 7 Key Principles emphasize continuous improvement, self-organizing teams, and the importance of simplicity in problem-solving.

I selected this article because, as a beginner in computer science, I wanted to understand how project management frameworks like Scrum can be applied in real-world software development. Being new to coding and programming, I often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and tools available. Scrum, with its structured approach, offers a clear way of organizing tasks, fostering teamwork, and ensuring that progress is continually monitored. Learning about Scrum is relevant to my future career because it’s widely used in the tech industry, particularly for software development and managing complex projects.

From reading the article, I gained a solid understanding of the core principles that make Scrum effective. The 3 pillars stood out to me, especially Transparency. As a student, I can relate to the importance of transparency in team projects where communication is key to understanding who’s doing what, when, and how. Inspection and Adaptation also made me realize how crucial it is to frequently check our progress and be willing to change course when necessary, which can save a lot of time and effort in the long run.

The 5 Values were a reminder of the importance of collaboration and maintaining a positive, respectful team environment. These values are essential, not just for Scrum but for any professional setting. I particularly appreciated the focus on Courage, which resonated with me as I’m still learning how to approach new and challenging problems in my coursework.

Finally, the 7 Key Principles reinforced the idea of simplicity and the need to avoid overcomplicating solutions, something I’ve noticed in my own work when I get caught up in trying to build complex solutions rather than focusing on what’s truly necessary.

I plan to apply the principles of Scrum, especially the importance of adaptation and simplicity, in my future projects. Whether it’s a group coding project or individual work, Scrum’s emphasis on regular inspection and continuous improvement will help me ensure that I’m always learning and adjusting as I go.

Resource:

“Scrum Mastering the 3 Pillars, 5 Values, and 7 Key Principles of Agile Project Management”

From the blog Computer Science From a Basketball Fan by Brandon Njuguna and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

To Be Agile

I recently came across a blog post on LucidSpark titled What Is Agile Methodology? that explains the basics of Agile and its role in modern software development. Agile is a project management and software development approach that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer feedback. The methodology breaks down large projects into smaller, manageable chunks called sprints—usually lasting a few weeks. This approach allows teams to adapt quickly to changes, make continuous improvements, and deliver working software regularly. The blog goes on to explain the Agile Manifesto, which highlights values like individuals and interactions over processes and tools, and customer collaboration over contract negotiation.

I chose this article because it offers a clear, easy-to-understand explanation of Agile, a methodology that I’ve heard about a lot in my software engineering classes and in discussions about software projects. I wanted to learn more about it and see how it’s used in real-world development, especially since I might be using it in some of my future group projects. The post helped clarify some of the concepts I’ve learned in theory and gave me a better understanding of how Agile works in practice.

One of the most interesting takeaways from this article was the emphasis on adaptability. In traditional project management, there’s often a lot of upfront planning, but Agile is all about being able to adjust quickly to changes—whether that’s changes in customer requirements or new technologies. I realized that in software development, the ability to pivot and change direction is just as important as having a solid plan in the first place. This idea of “failing fast” and improving iteratively really resonated with me. I’ve noticed that when I work on assignments or personal projects, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and it’s frustrating to try and stick to a rigid approach. Agile’s flexibility seems like a better way to handle those situations.

Another part of the article that stood out was the focus on collaboration. Agile teams work closely together and communicate regularly, which is different from the more isolated approach I’ve seen in some projects where team members work separately and only come together at milestones. The post explained how frequent communication, daily stand-ups, and collaboration with customers can help create better products and avoid misunderstandings. This is something I want to keep in mind for group projects, especially in coding assignments where communication can make a huge difference in the quality of the work.

In my future career, I plan to apply what I’ve learned by adopting some Agile practices in my own projects. I want to be able emphasize collaboration and open communication in group assignments, which could lead to more efficient and effective teamwork.

Resource:

https://lucidspark.com/blog/what-is-agile-methodology

From the blog Computer Science From a Basketball Fan by Brandon Njuguna and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Scrum

Pushing the Ball Forward Together

Photo by Ollie Craig on Pexels.com

Hello Debug Ducker here and recently I studied a framework used by Software Developers referred to as Scrum. Scrum is a framework that is meant to help teams find adaptive solutions for complex tasks. In layman’s is, it is a way to get hard things done small pieces at a time.

If you are wondering if Scrum is an acronym, well no it is a reference to a scrum in rugby in which teams in rugby work together to move the ball forward, which relates to teams working together to move the product forward.

The idea of Scrum is based on empiricism which is a theory that knowledge comes from experience and lean thinking to which means to focus on the essentials. The Scrum framework consists of the Scrum Team which encompasses the Product Owner, Developer, and Scrum Master who have different accountabilities on a project.

There are also very important pillars to take into account when talking about sprint which are Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation, which can’t work well without each other. Inspection and adaption work as there is a lot of ongoing feedback during the process.

I was interested in the topic as I have recently learned about it in my software processes class and wanted to share my thoughts on it. As my understanding of it goes, it is based on reducing complexity by having different roles and small teams to handle the task. It also has steps that should be followed that are in specific time boxes, time boxes being the maximum amount of time the step can go on. The Scrum involves a time length for the task, referred to as a Sprint, that goes on specifically for 1 month or less.

I can see myself using this framework in the future, as it helps make those complex tasks easier to handle, especially in group projects. If a task is too great, then perhaps Scrum should be used to make sure the task is not as bad and easier to handle for the groups’ sake. Even though Scrum in this instance refers to Software Development, I can see it being used in other possible fields that involve working together, but that’s just me. There is more to Scrum than just what is referred to here, there is a free guide online that I recommend any viewer interested in software development to check up known as the Scrum Guide that can guide you through it. The link to is down below.

The Scrum Guide

 That will be all from, have a nice day.

The 2020 scrum GUIDETM. Scrum Guide | Scrum Guides. (n.d.). https://scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html#the-sprint

What is Scrum?. Scrum.org. (n.d.). https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-scrum-module

From the blog CS@Worcester – Debug Duck by debugducker and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Week 15

Last week my group and I were discussing behavior-driven development. It is a type of development that refines our previously learned developments. This is a great jumping point to what we were previously learning and it will make for a great assignment. I would like to give more information on this subject matter because it is valuable. This is another practice that is used in the field that can be used in the future.

Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is an agile testing practice that prioritizes creating automated tests first before specifying system behavior. BDD is utilized in a group setting where both agile teams and business participants can see eye to eye. BDD are tests used to capture a story, feature, or capability from a user’s perspective. During this development, there should be three different heads of mentality to considered. Customer minds usually stakeholders understand the business needs and their desire for new requirements. Developers understand what needs to be done to accomplish their responsibilities and technological feasibility. Test-centric minds should consider any exceptions, new edges, and boundary conditions. There are three phases during BDD discovery, formulation, and automation. The product owner or product manager creates criteria that must be used to write a good story. Then, the discovery process where the team finds any additional information that could enhance the criteria. There is an automation phase that automates the acceptance test. This test shares a lot of similarities with Acceptance Test–Driven Development (ATDD) and Specification by Example (SBE). 

This new development strategy was very useful to learn. It’s good to understand different types of development plans and how you can combine them to make a stronger development cycle. During the agile team cycle, I feel like every cycle you can change what type of software development you use for that cycle. Based on the project, resources, and time you can choose different software developments. Learning about BDD gave me an insight into the business side of the development process. These are things you may not think about when creating your software but should be a priority. You would expect your software project to be examined by someone who is informed in the field but to try to explain to someone that is funding it would be a hassle but necessary. It makes sense that people who aren’t on the team would have to understand the development. It’s a group effort between multiple teams that all must work in unison to create a working product.  

Advanced Topic – Behavior-Driven Development

https://scaledagileframework.com/behavior-driven-development/

From the blog CS@Worcester – DCO by dcastillo360 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Code Reviews for Quality Assurance

As we continue in CS443 – Software Quality Assurance and Testing, we’ve delved into the test strategy/skill of group code reviews for debugging. So, this week I chose to search for a blog about effective code reviews with a focus on good practices to extract the most value from participating in them and found a valuable article posted on Vates.com. This article is from August 2023, so it is modestly recent and applicable to our current learning materials and discusses best practices and habits.

Code review is a pivotal practice in software development, offering more than just bug detection. It serves as a collaborative process where developers meticulously inspect code changes before integration into the main codebase. By doing so, it not only identifies defects but also enhances code quality, ensures alignment with project requirements, and upholds coding standards. The process fosters collaboration among team members, facilitates knowledge sharing, and integrates multiple perspectives, ultimately leading to the creation of reliable, maintainable, and efficient software.

To maximize the benefits of code review, it’s essential to implement effective strategies. This begins with establishing clear objectives tailored to the project’s goals. By defining specific focuses, such as code quality improvements, security enhancements, or performance optimizations, teams can streamline the review process and prioritize areas of concern.

Moreover, involving the right team members is crucial. Senior developers, subject matter experts, and team leads contribute diverse viewpoints, enriching the review process and leading to better outcomes. Adhering to a comprehensive code style guide ensures consistency in coding practices, which is vital for long-term maintainability. Utilizing code review tools further enhances efficiency by automating checks, highlighting changes, and facilitating collaborative discussions.

Promoting a culture of constructive feedback is equally important. Emphasizing that reviews aim to enhance overall code quality rather than criticize individuals encourages open communication and continuous improvement. Balancing review speed with depth ensures timely feedback without compromising quality, fostering agility while maintaining code integrity.

Lastly, following up on review feedback is essential for iterative improvement. Addressing comments promptly, clarifying questions, and implementing necessary changes contribute to a learning culture within the team, leading to continuous enhancement of development practices.

Vates is a leading provider of IT and software services and the host of this blog. They provide tools and resources to enable teams to unlock the full potential of code review, IoT consulting, and software testing services. This collaboration empowers organizations to elevate their software development practices, delivering exceptional value to stakeholders through collaborative development and effective code review implementation.

Source:

https://www.vates.com/the-art-of-code-review-effective-strategies-for-collaborative-development

From the blog CS@Worcester – Tech. Worth Talking About by jelbirt and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

CS448 Sprint 1 – Retrospective

This past Tuesday 2/27/2024 marked the conclusion of Sprint 1 for CS448 – Capstone. My team worked generally well together and we managed to complete all of our assigned tasks as well as some extra we added during the Sprint.

During this Sprint, I was involved in addressing a few different tasks and issues:

Issue spent most time on – “Create General and Pipeline” https://gitlab.com/LibreFoodPantry/client-solutions/theas-pantry/gitlab-profile/-/issues/10. This issue was in the “General” (#gitlab-profile) repository and consisted of three separate parts: 

  1. Moving settings from configuration files set up for integration with Dev Containers to .gitpod.yml extensions for GitPod integration.
  2. Refactoring the ‘commands’ folder to ‘bin’ to keep up with industry standard file naming. This includes updating script paths and .gitlab-ci.yaml environment variables to refer to bin.
  3. Adding the AlexJS linter to pipelines as well as the bin/lint.sh test script file.

Also, as a part of this issue I also implemented some minor typo and similar fixes so that all linters pass for a successful integration pipeline. Originally, these were three separate issues that were combined during the Sprint.

Issue #2 – “Familiarize ourselves with GuestInfoFrontend to Understand What Goes into CheckoutGuestFrontend”

https://gitlab.com/LibreFoodPantry/client-solutions/theas-pantry/inventorysystem/checkoutguestfrontend/-/issues/37. This issue included all team members and was intended to prepare each of us for Sprint 2, during which we intend on tackling some front-end Epics/issues in CheckoutGuestFrontend. So, I reviewed the GuestInfoFrontend repository structure and began to strategize a possible plan of action for building out CheckoutGuestFrontend.

As mentioned, my Team added additional tasks to our Sprint Backlog during the sprint as we found we would have extra time leftover after completing our original tasks. We chose to take on “Verifying that all Thea’s Pantry projects have the correct extensions, linters, and pipeline stages” for the Documentation and General repositories as we had already set up the settings and thereby familiarity with these repos. https://gitlab.com/LibreFoodPantry/client-solutions/theas-pantry/documentation/-/issues/10

https://gitlab.com/LibreFoodPantry/client-solutions/theas-pantry/gitlab-profile/-/issues/12

I created our new issues; we were able to complete the task for the Documentation repo as it was relatively simple in terms of not needing to make many changes/add linters, and make some progress in the General repo but pushed the issue into Sprint 2.

Reflecting back on the sprint, there were a few things that come to mind which worked really well – as a team we scheduled out our tasks well between standups and managed to have full attendance at each. Also, when we needed to add tasks we elected to stay within the repositories we had already been working in and were somewhat familiar with, which was a good choice as switching would have likely wasted time getting familiar with the new repo, as well as wasted time for another team who would have needed to become familiar with ours. 

However, we struggled somewhat with getting used to navigating the GitLab issue board, merges, child issues etc. and sometimes it felt like some team members were in different places where a solution may not have been fully communicated to all teammates. As a team, I feel we can improve on some of our internal communication and do a better job planning out our sprints and creating something of a road map, especially as we prepare for Sprint 2 which is considerably longer than the first. Personally, I think I can improve my time management and also be a bit more involved in the process of planning out our next Sprint and creating issues with relevant descriptions and linking to organize our tasks and get a better feel of how to use GitLab to its maximum potential.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Tech. Worth Talking About by jelbirt and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.