Agile Frameworks and Methodologies Flashcards

A development team is using an Agile methodology that emphasizes visualizing workflow, limiting work in progress (WIP), and managing flow. The team board has columns representing stages of work, and cards move across the board as tasks progress. Which Agile framework is this team MOST likely using?

Answer: Kanban

Kanban is a method for managing knowledge work with an emphasis on just-in-time delivery while not overloading the team members. Key principles of Kanban include visualizing the workflow, limiting Work In Progress (WIP), and managing the flow of work. Scrum, by contrast, is organized into fixed-length sprints, XP focuses on technical engineering practices, and Crystal is a family of methodologies focused on team size and communication.

A developer is working in a team that follows Extreme Programming (XP). They are asked to write a failing automated test case before writing any production code to fulfill a new requirement. Which core XP practice does this represent?

Answer: Test-Driven Development (TDD)

Test-Driven Development (TDD) is a fundamental practice of Extreme Programming where developers write a failing test before they write the production code to make it pass. This cycle (Red-Green-Refactor) ensures that all code is testable and that tests are written for all features.

In a project following Lean Software Development principles, the team holds a workshop to identify and categorize all activities that do not add value for the customer. This includes partially done work, unnecessary features, and delays. What is the primary goal of this activity?

Answer: To eliminate waste

A core principle of Lean Software Development is the elimination of waste ('muda'). Waste is anything that does not add value to the customer. Identifying and systematically removing sources of waste, such as partially done work, extra features, or waiting time, is central to the Lean methodology.

A project manager is assembling a small, co-located team of six developers for a low-criticality project. They want to use an Agile framework that is lightweight, people-centric, and can be adapted based on the specific project context and team dynamics. Which of the following frameworks would be the most suitable choice?

Answer: Crystal Clear

The Crystal family of methodologies is designed to be lightweight and adaptable, with different 'colors' corresponding to team size and project criticality. Crystal Clear is specifically intended for small teams (up to 6-8 people) and emphasizes people and communication over rigid processes, making it a good fit for this scenario.

A development team is struggling with context switching. Team members frequently start new tasks before finishing their current ones, leading to bottlenecks and delayed delivery. To address this, the team decides to set a rule that no more than three tasks can be in the 'In Progress' column of their board at any one time. This practice is a core component of which framework?

Answer: Kanban

Limiting Work in Progress (WIP) is a foundational principle of Kanban. By setting explicit limits on how many items can be in any stage of the workflow, teams can reduce multitasking, improve focus, and expose bottlenecks, leading to a smoother, more predictable flow of work.

Which of the following Agile methodologies is characterized by its strong emphasis on technical engineering practices such as pair programming, continuous integration, and collective code ownership?

Answer: Extreme Programming (XP)

Extreme Programming (XP) is distinguished from other Agile frameworks by its intense focus on technical excellence and specific engineering practices. Core practices like pair programming, Test-Driven Development (TDD), continuous integration, and collective code ownership are central to the XP methodology to produce high-quality software.