In the last 20-25 years, agile development has empowered development teams to accelerate the time to market for digital products and mobile apps.

When implemented effectively by team leaders, Agile software development approach greatly enhances software quality and decreases time spent on development.

What Is Agile App Development?

Agile app development is a flexible, iterative approach to creating software applications. Unlike traditional waterfall methods, Agile focuses on incremental progress, collaboration, and adaptability.

While every team has their own steps and methods during the agile development cycle, the general agile approach is to work in short sprints with regular collaboration and communication and adapting to changes.

This methodology emphasizes continuous feedback, ensuring that the final product aligns with user needs and business goals.

App Development Stages in Agile

Discovery Phase

The discovery phase involves understanding the app’s purpose, target audience, and core requirements. This stage sets the foundation by defining project goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and initial features. Stakeholders, developers, and designers collaborate to outline the project scope and create a product backlog.

Sprint Planning & Requirement Analysis

Each sprint begins with a planning session where the team prioritizes tasks from the backlog. Requirements are analyzed, and user stories are created to define specific features or functionality. This ensures clear objectives for the sprint and alignment among team members.

Design (UI/UX)

The design phase focuses on crafting an intuitive and visually appealing user interface and user experience. Designers use wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to visualize the app’s structure. Regular feedback cycles allow stakeholders to provide input, ensuring the design meets expectations.

Development (Iterations)

Development occurs in iterations during sprints. Developers write and test code for specific features, ensuring each component integrates seamlessly with the existing system. Regular stand-up meetings help address challenges and track progress.

Testing and QA

Testing and quality assurance (QA) are integral to each sprint. Testers verify that new features function as intended and do not introduce bugs. Automated and manual testing methods ensure a robust and reliable app.

Deployment

After rigorous testing, the app or new features are deployed to the production environment. Continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines facilitate seamless releases. Stakeholders review the deployed features, providing feedback for further refinement.

Cost in Agile Development

Time and Material Costs in Agile

Agile development costs typically follow a time-and-materials pricing model, where costs depend on the resources utilized and time spent. Each sprint, lasting about two weeks, has a fixed cost based on team size and hourly rates. This model offers flexibility, allowing stakeholders to adjust priorities as the project progresses.

Factors Affecting Costs

1. Team Size: Larger teams deliver faster but increase costs.

2. Complexity of Features: Advanced functionalities require more development time and resources.

3. Tech Stack: The choice of technologies impacts development speed and costs.

4. Maintenance Costs: Ongoing updates and support contribute to the overall expense.

Further reading: App development cost breakdown

Cost Estimations for Different Types of Apps

Costs can vary a lot depending on project requirements and team involved. However, here’s an estimate of agile app development costs:

• Simple App Development (MVPs): Ideal for startups testing ideas, these apps cost between SGD 10,000 to SGD 50,000, depending on features.

• Medium-Complexity App (E-commerce, Service Booking): With user management, payment gateways, and integrations, costs range from SGD 50,000 to SGD 150,000.

• Complex App Development (Integration-heavy Apps): Apps with custom APIs, advanced security, or real-time features can cost SGD 150,000+.

Conclusion

Agile app development offers a dynamic and efficient approach to building apps, ensuring high-quality results and adaptability to changing requirements. By understanding the stages and cost factors involved, businesses can make informed decisions, delivering value to users while staying within budget.