Agile Approaches: XP, SCRUM, and DSDM

Extreme programming

The approach with the most distracting name is Extreme Programming (more commonly known as XP). Extreme Programming is a fairly technically oriented Agile approach that emerged during that major project failure from Chrysler under the direction of Kent Beck and Martin Fowler, among others.

The method in a project is extremely simple. Almost minimalistic. The customer writes user stories on index cards. At the start of an iteration, the customer selects the stories that are most relevant. The developers estimate the amount of work based on ideal working days, or days without meetings and other burdens. The customer then chooses a number of stories that can be implemented in the next iteration. Then, the developers realize the user stories and the customer writes tests. Once the code is complete, the customer tests the results. The only missing role is that of the agile coach, a role similar to the Scrum Master.

More interesting, perhaps, than the (for many projects) lightweight approach of Extreme Programming is the fundamental techniques that have emerged from the approach. Think of user stories, pair programming, unit testing, test-driven development, continuous ...