What are Crystal Methodologies of Agile

It says much for agile’s popularity that numerous IT professionals are so keen to acquire scrum master training and certification! Knowing this, many establishments, including Simplilearn, are offering coaching for scrum master certification. To know more about what such a program entails, you might peruse the websites of diverse institutes.

The Process of Certification

The Scrum Alliance takes charge of awarding certifications to deserving persons. Therefore, employers give great value to this credential. 

Eligibility

True, you are a working professional. However, your position at your current place of employment will reveal whether you are suitable for this particular training program or not. For instance, it is perfect for the manager of a scrum team, a project manager, or a team leader. Similarly, you could be a developer, product owner, or a scrum master, who is already working with a scrum team. Regardless, you desire to enhance your knowledge and expertise. Then again, you could be a member of a particular team, which wishes to convert to a scrum team. 

In case, you do not fit into any of the categories mentioned above, your extreme passion for becoming an agile scrum master should suffice!

Examination and Certification

It has become the norm to offer a practice test prior to the actual examination. Therefore, you may register for the same. This exam is an online one, too, simulating the pattern of the real one. It would be best to go through it without a break. However, if you have no choice but to discontinue midway, pick up from where you left off when you restart. The time limit will remain the same. You may not use the extra time for completing the paper or even go back to the previous questions.

The actual test comprises 50 questions. You will have an hour to provide the answers. All the questions will be in the multiple-choice pattern. You must ensure that you gain a pass percentage of 75% if you desire the certificate. This means that at least 37 answers must be correct. In case you fail to get through, you may retake the test immediately. 

Now, the scrum master certificate is your property for a lifetime. You need never worry about renewing it. However, you must request a license via a signed license agreement. If the Scrum Alliance approves it, you must apply for membership on its official website. 

An Introduction to Crystal Methodologies

Now, one of the popular topics that are part of the scrum master training program is agile’s crystal methodologies. They refer to extremely flexible and lightweight approaches for developing software. Additionally, they encompass several agile processes,

The credit for developing these methodologies goes to Alistair Cockburn. IBM asked him to take up the task in 1991. Consequently, he rose to the challenge and successfully came up with the Crystal Family of Methodologies. Two ideas are responsible for the creation of this Family. One is that every project displays its unique features. The second is that the practices and policies attached to the concerned project must be in alignment with the project’s features.

Properties of the Crystal Methodologies

There are several of them.

Simplicity

It is imperative that whatever documentations come into play, including product design, requisites, etc., they must be straightforward and comprehensive. This will encourage everyone to put in his/her best efforts to complete a project.

Teamwork

The distribution of tasks is vital. It gives every member something to do. At the same time, every member must be ready to work for the team and not for themself.

Adjustments

Every member of the team should be ready to adjust to any changes that may creep into the existing scenario. Sometimes, they may have to adjust several times. 

Communication

There must be an appropriate communication channel in place. It could take the form of face-to-face interactions or e-mails. It is not only team members who must be frank and open with each other, but also, developers and customers who must bond well. 

Improvement in Processes

Feedback from consumers, feedback from team members, and outcomes of organizational meetings prove useful in identifying the hiccups in any process. They also prompt quick and necessary improvements or rectifications.

Reflection

Three characteristics are important. One of them is responding and reporting accurately. Here, both individual and group responses and updates should be timely for maintaining progress. 

The second one is reasoning, which governs every action. It is specifically important for testers and developers.

The third aspect is a reconstruction, which should come into play whenever required. Once again, testers and developers should find this useful, specifically for reversing and reconstructing coding.

Colors of the Crystal Family

Different colors refer to different methods.

Crystal Clear

It refers to a group consistingof 1-6 members. Here, the project is people-oriented, and not too concerned about artifacts or processes. Even the pricing is fixed. Documents have to be in place. The major focus is on safety concerning the project. 

Crystal Yellow

A team of 7-20 people works in alignment with feedback that it garners from real users of the software. The team exhibits code area ownership prefers direct communication pathways and automated testing processes. It also creates plans for improvement every month.

Crystal Orange

 Around 21-40 team members work on a long-term (1/2 years) project. They adhere to incremental development (release of product every 3/4 months. Every member works on a specific task in alignment with his/her talents.

The Crystal Orange Web is a slight diversion from the above. It concentrates on reducing defects to the minimum. This method is great for a project displaying a continually evolving codebase.

Crystal Red

Since the team comprises 40-80 members, it splits up into smaller groups. Every group works on a specific task.

Crystal Maroon

It applies to large-sized projects, requiring a team size of 80-200. 

Crystal Sapphire and Crystal Diamond

Once again, they are useful for large-sized projects only. However, the tasks are unique, for they give importance to potential risks to human life.

The content in this post belongs to the respective owners. If you find anything otherwise — please feel free to write to us on dk18@dkoding.in and we shall immediately take it up with the owners.