Got distributed development teams? Get Agile for process efficiency.

If you think you can’t deploy Agile development across your distributed development teams, think again. As it turns out, the very nature of Agile’s adaptable environment makes it an ideal development methodology for ensuring momentum and process efficiency across distributed teams.

Perhaps that explains why a 2012 State of Agile report found that 35% of companies using Agile are using it with distributed development teams. Among the benefits of Agile is the advantage it gives project owners to overcome the communication, process and transparency challenges presented by remote workers who are a date line and a time zone away.

Co-located development teams are great—when you can have them. But in reality, it is more common for businesses to have distributed development resources. And with the challenges more widespread, embracing Agile methodology could be the solution you’re looking for.

Agile opens communication. Agile methodology embraces the concept of on-the-fly, one-to-one communication to keep teams informed regardless of geographic location. For this, distributed teams rely on videoconferencing, conference calls, email and texting to collaborate with remote team members and project owners in real time. Compared to traditional development where formalized meetings can be difficult to schedule, Agile’s communication model gives distributed teams a competitive advantage.

Agile speeds decision making. Agile’s methodology gives distributed development teams the authority to decide how they will complete their tasks. This empowerment model makes it easy for distributed teams to make progress, because they are not held back waiting for management approval or direction. All Agile team members assume responsibility for tasks assigned to them and are fully accountable for making their own decisions as to how best to meet the iteration’s requirements.

Agile maintains transparency. Agile process includes daily stand-up/scrum meetings to keep all stakeholders in all locations informed of project progress from day to day. With Agile, project information is shared between remote development teams, product owners and stakeholders. Requirements are reviewed so that changes can be made earlier in the process, speeding the way toward working software with better usability outcomes.

Learn how Shinetech’s offshore Agile development services can work to bridge the gap between your distributed development teams. Contact Us.