Glossary: Agile
Discover the power of Agile methodologies in product development. Learn about Scrum, Kanban, and more to enhance your team's productivity and efficiency.
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A/B Test
An A/B test is an essential comparative process used to identify which version of two items is most effective, such as PPC ads, landing pages, and more.
API
API is an initialism for application programming interface. An API allows two different applications to speak to each other, by acting as a software intermediary that can both send and receive information.
Acceptance Test
An acceptance test is conducted by the customer or the end-user to evaluate if a software solution meets requirements.
Acceptance test-driven development (ATDD)
Acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) is a testing methodology that defines the acceptable behavior of a digital product before it is developed.
Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
Adaptive software development embodies the principle that continuous adaptation of the process to the work at hand is the normal way to work.
Agile
The Agile methodology is a set of values and principles, promoting iterative ways of working, where teams progress in “sprints”. This enables more effective prioritization and, if done well, also increases user satisfaction.
Agile Framework
Agile Frameworks are the different variations and approaches used by development teams based on the values and principles of the Agile Manifesto.
Agile Manifesto
The Agile Manifesto is a document setting out the key values and principles behind the Agile philosophy, helping software developers work more efficiently and effectively.
Agile Principles
There are 12 agile principles included in The Agile Manifesto, originated by software developers to prioritize individual interactions, customer collaboration, and flexibility.
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Back End (In a Website)
The back end of a website is everything that goes on behind the scenes, from servers to databases — and much more.
Backlog
A backlog is a prioritized list of all smaller tasks to be completed for a larger development project. It usually includes user stories, bug fixes, and product updates.
Backlog Grooming
Backlog grooming gives product teams the opportunity to review and prioritize their outstanding user stories, typically in preparation for the next sprint.
Behavior-Driven Development
Behavior-driven development (BDD) is a strategy allowing product managers, developers, and testers to collaborate on testing software’s acceptable behavior.
Beta Test
A limited release of software or an application to assess it for bugs and other issues before it is released generally.
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CAD/CAE
CAD and CAE are types of engineering apps that make it possible for engineers and designers to work in a digital, 3D environment.
CIRCLES method
The CIRCLES method is the framework used by product managers to answer design questions. It also acts as a checklist to help product managers consider user needs.
Cadence in Agile
Cadence in Agile refers to the rhythm of a project based on the duration of sprints.
Continuous Delivery (CD)
Continuous Delivery (CD) is defined as the ability to deliver product updates to customers as quickly and frequently as possible.
Continuous Deployment
Continuous deployment is an agile production method, designed to fast-track products to market.
Continuous Improvement
Continuous Improvement — sometimes referred to as ‘Kaizen’ — is an ongoing effort to improve products or processes. It relies on a culture where all employees identify opportunities for enhancements and wastage reduction.
Continuous Integration (CI)
Continuous integration is an engineering process where code is subjected to automated testing, several times a day, to identify bugs or errors.
Critical Path Method (CPM)
The critical path method is a modeling algorithm designed to help product managers escape inefficient scheduling and gain a clear overview of all tasks at hand.
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DEEP Backlog
A DEEP backlog is one possible outcome of a backlog grooming session. The acronym that describes effective backlogs, and stands for: Detailed Appropriately, Emergent, Estimates and Prioritized.
DSDM Agile Methodology
DSDM (Dynamic System Development Method) is an agile methodology based on 8 principles including focusing on the business need, building incrementally, and communicating continuously.
DevOps
Principles used to transform a workforce mindset so that it can better communicate and collaborate in developing and releasing a product.
Disciplined Agile (DA)
Disciplined Agile (DA) is a process decision toolkit, bringing together elements from Scrum, eXtreme Programming, Kanban and, of course, agile development. As such, DA helps teams streamline their internal processes and achieve greater business agility.
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Edge Case
An edge case is a type of bug in software development that only occurs under uncommon circumstances. This means that most users won't encounter these types of bugs, which may change how a team approaches handling the bug.
End-to-End
End-to-end has several definitions, but most simply refer to the entire product journey, from initial conception to market launch and beyond.
Engineering Backlog
An engineering backlog shows which work items are being completed by the engineering team in the current sprint.
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Feature Driven Development (FDD)
Feature Driven Development (FDD) is an iterative agile model used to incrementally develop features into a complete product. It focuses on building software by breaking it into small components, rapidly developed in repetitive cycles.
Feature Kickoff
A Feature Kickoff is a conference held right as a development team is about to start work on a new project. During this meeting, the project manager and stakeholders discuss expectations, goals, and requirements for the project.
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Incremental Product
An Incremental Product is one which has been developed over time via a series of small upgrades or improvements. This process is known as incremental product innovation.
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LeSS (Large Scale Scrum)
LeSS (Large Scale Scrum) is an agile approach to software development that incorporates elements not found within the traditional Scrum framework. Put simply, LeSS applies Scrum principles on a larger scale.
Lean Business Canvas
A lean business canvas is a template to help teams identify key assumptions.
Lean Product
Lean product development is a product development method that focuses on reducing waste, speeding up delivery, and increasing profit and customer value.
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Minimum Viable Experience (MVE)
The term MVE: Minimum Viable Experience refers to how a customer feels when they interact with a brand’s MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
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Pair Programming
Pair programming involves two programmers sharing a single workstation. One programmer focuses on coding, whilst the other reviews and assesses the work.
Planning poker
Estimating how much time it will take to complete a cycle of development can be a challenge for agile managers and teams. Planning poker is a gamified tool designed to help — where the team works together to come to a consensus.
Platform Product Management
Platform product management is an essential component of the whole management system of any well-developing company.
Pragmatic Marketing
Pragmatic marketing is a sophisticated product marketing and creation process that continually adapts based on customers' needs.
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Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
An agile framework designed to help scale agile practices for larger organizations with multiple teams working on multifaceted projects.
Scrum Master
Being a Scrum Master is a professional occupation and originates from a designated role in the Scrum framework. A Scrum Master is responsible for delegating and supervising agile software development activities based on the ideas and methods of Scrum.
Scrum Meeting
The Scrum meeting is executed daily, usually performed as a stand-up meeting. Participants include all Scrum team members, such as product owner, Scrum Master and development team.
Scrum of Scrums
Scrum of Scrums is an Agile technique used when companies need to coordinate multiple Scrum teams to build several and/or complex products. Scrum of Scrums is also known as “meta scrum” or SoS.
Shape Up Method
The Shape Up Method is a process for developing products across six-week cycles, with “cooldown” periods between each. Teams have more autonomy to determine tasks and manage them to completion, freeing leaders from time-consuming micromanagement.
Sprint
A sprint is a fixed length of time allocated to a team to complete specific tasks and achieve goals.
Sprint Backlog
A sprint backlog is the list of items selected from the product backlog to deliver during the current sprint. Crucially, this should also contain a solid plan for delivering the product increments to meet the sprint goals.
Sprint Goal
The sprint goal is a clear, simple objective to be completed during a single sprint or iteration.
Sprint Planning
In a sprint planning meeting, the scrum team will prioritize which items from the product backlog should be delivered during the current sprint.
Stage-gate Model
The stage-gate model is a process used to structure the product development cycle into a series of stages and gates. Each stage represents a milestone, and a gate separates each stage, where teams decide if and how to move forward.
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UX Designer
Whilst the role of a UX designer may vary from business to business, you can think of them as an advocate users — it is the UX designer’s job to ensure the best possible user experience, in everything from purchase to packaging.
User Experience (UX)
User experience (UX) refers to the total, end-to-end experience of using a product or service. UX designers use first-hand research to analyze every touchpoint and interaction, seeking to reduce friction and improve user satisfaction.
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Waterfall
Waterfall software development breaks work into consecutive stages, that each happens one after the other until the completion of the project.
Website Metrics
Website metrics are a variety of measurements made on a given website in order to better track its performance and statistics.
Website Traffic
Website traffic is a term used for the number of visits a website receives. There are different ways to measure and increase traffic, to achieve better brand visibility and drive conversions.
What, Not How
“What, not how” is a method that emphasizes the importance of what an application will do, rather than how it will work. This helps clarify a product’s purpose, speeds up planning, and simplifies decision-making during development.
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