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Attending an agile interview and wondering what are all the questions and discussions you will go through? Before attending an agile testing interview, it’s better to have an idea of the type of agile interview questions so that you can mentally prepare answers for them. Let’s accept, we all get a bit nervous about interviews. No matter how capable you are or how much experience and knowledge you possess, at the end of the day, interviews are about how do you present yourself, how well you manage to put your knowledge into answering the questions in the most suitable way. Hence, it is always preferable to do a bit of research before an interview. Revise answers, brush up our skills. ‘doing’ and ‘explaining how to do’ are two different things. Agile interview questions and answers can include all aspects of the Agile methodology. The list below will help you become a pro! Check out our free courses related to software development. One-Of-Its-Kind Program That Creates Skilled Software Developers. Apply Now! Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Recently, the Agile Methodology has gained traction in the industry, with an increasing number of companies incorporating the concept into their organizational infrastructure. As a result, job postings in this domain is increasing rapidly. If you, too, wish to land a promising job in the IT sector, you must be well-versed in the Agile Methodology. Check out our Advanced Certification in Blockchain In this article, we will be looking at some most important agile interview questions and answers. There are certain agile methodology questions that are generally asked in an interview. We’ve created this agile interview questions and answers guide to understand the depth and real-intend behind the questions. These Agile questions and answers will address all your queries about the subject and give you a better understanding of the methodology.  Top Agile Interview Questions & Answers 1. What is Agile Testing? The first question of agile interview question tests your knowledge about the basic of agile testing. Agile testing is a practice based on the principles of agile software development. It includes all members of an agile team with specific skills and a certain expertise to ensure the timely delivery of a product with the release of additional features at frequent intervals. Check out our Advanced Certification in Cloud Computing 2. How is Agile Methodology different than Traditional Waterfall process? This is the most commonly asked agile interview question. In agile methodology, features of the software are delivered frequently, so that the testing activity is done simultaneously with the development activity. Testing time is shortened as only small features are need be tasted at once. Source While, in the waterfall model, testing activities take place at the end of the entire development process. Testing time, in this case, is as long as the entire product is to be tested in one go. Waterfall methodology is a closed process where all stakeholders are not involved in the development process whereas agile methodology requires the involvement of various stakeholders including customers. Learn more about agile vs waterfall. A Beginner’s Guide to MVC Architecture in Java 3. What are the pros and cons of Agile Methodology? This is one of the most frequently asked agile interview questions. Pros of the agile methodology: Speedy and continuous delivery of the software ensures customer satisfaction. All the stakeholders (customers, developers, and testers) are involved in the process which leads to technical excellence and good design. It facilitates close interaction between business people and developers. Its flexibility ensures the adaptation to changing circumstances. Changes added at the last moment or at a later stage of development can be incorporated without any problem. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses upGrad’s Exclusive Software and Tech Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   However, it does have some disadvantages too: Sometimes when software deliverables are large ones, it is tough to determine the effort level required at the beginning of the software development lifecycle. In agile methodology, documentation and designing take a back seat. The decision-making crucial for the development process comes with seniority and experience. Hence, freshers can hardly manage to find a place in the agile software development process. Get Software Engineering degrees from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. 4. What kind of projects is suitable for the Agile Methodology? The traditional methodology is suited for projects with predefined, clearly stated requirements while agile development methodology is suitable for projects with dynamic requirements where frequent changes in the product come up on a regular basis. 15 Must-Know Spring MVC Interview Questions 5. What are the different types of Agile Methodologies? An agile interview question and answers guide will not be complete without this question. There are several types of agile development methodology. Scrum is one of the most popular and widely used agile methods. Other types of agile development methodology are; development like Crystal Methodology, DSDM(Dynamic Software Development Method), Feature-driven development(FDD), Lean software development and Extreme Programming(XP). Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses 6. Difference between extreme programming and scrum? Scrum teams usually have to work in iterations which are known as sprints which generally last up to two weeks to one month long while XP team works in the iteration that lasts for one or two weeks. XP teams are more flexible as they can change their iterations while Scrum teams do not allow any change in their iterations. The product owner prioritizes the product backlog but the team decides the sequence in which they will develop the backlog items in scrum methodology. Whereas XP team works in strict priority order, features developed are prioritized by the customers. Our learners also read: Java free online courses! 7. Can you explain the lean methodology in detail? Lean software development method follows the principle of “Just in time production”. It aims at increasing the speed of software development and decreasing cost. The basic idea of lean is to reduce non-value-added activities (known as “wastes”) in order to increase customer value. The agile process itself is a lean method for software development lifecycle. However, activities like backlog grooming (when team review items on the backlog to ensure the appropriate items are in the backlog, that they are prioritized well, and that the items at the top of the backlog are ready for delivery) code refactoring (process of restructuring existing computer code – changing the factoring — without changing its external behavior) fits agile methodology more in tune with lean principles. What is Test-driven Development: A Newbie’s Guide 8. What is Kanban? It is one of the common agile interview questions. Kanban is a tool which helps the team to keep a close eye the work i.e., to measure its progress. Apart from the progress, the status of a development story can be seamlessly described with the help of ‘kanban board’. Kanban board aids in writing the whole scenario of a project at a single place to give a perfect picture of the bottleneck, a task done, workflow progress. It helps in the continuous delivery of the product without overburdening the team. 9. Is there any difference between incremental and iterative development? Yes, the iterative methodology is a process of software development without any interruption. In this method, software development cycles consisting of sprint and release are repeated until the final product is obtained. Whereas, the incremental model is a process of software development where the product is designed, implemented and tested incrementally until the product is finished. It involves both development and maintenance. 10. What are burndown and burn-up charts in agile methodology? To track the progress of an ongoing project, these charts are used. Burn-up charts indicate the work that has been completed while Burn-down chart shows the amount of remaining work in a project. Why Companies are Looking to Hire Full Stack Developers 11. Can you explain pair programming and its benefits? It is one of the general agile interview questions and answers guide. The combined effort in the team where one programmer writes the code and the other one reviews it is called pair programming. There are several benefits of pair programming, it not only improves the quality of code but also facilitates the knowledge transfer. It reduces the chance of mistakes as two people are simultaneously working on a code. 12. Do you know what is the scrum of scrums? This is one of the most important Agile interview questions. The term “Scrum of Scrums” is used when there are multiple teams involved in a project. It refers to the scaling of the daily Scrum meeting. In this scenario, each team is responsible for conducting and leading its separate scrum meeting. However, to maintain coordination and communication among all the different teams, a separate meeting must be conducted wherein all the teams participate. This is known as the “Scrum of Scrums.” In this meeting, one team leader from every team (known as the “ambassador”), will represent their team. The main idea behind this is to encourage Agile teams to collaborate and coordinate their work with each other.  13. What is the velocity of a sprint and how it is measured? Velocity is one of the planning tool used to estimate the speed of the work and time of completion of the project. The calculation of velocity is done by reviewing the work team has successfully completed during earlier sprints; for example, if the team completed 5 stories during a two-week sprint and each story was worth 3 story points, then the team’s velocity is 15 story points per sprint. How to Become a Full Stack Developer 14. According to you what are some qualities that a good agile tester must have? A competent agile tester must possess the following qualities: They should be capable of understanding the requirements quickly. An agile tester should be aware of all the agile principles and concepts and values as listed down in an agile manifesto. They should be able to prioritize the work based on the requirements. They should have excellent communication skills as continuous communication between business associates, developers and tester is a backbone of the agile development process. 15. Can you list some responsibilities that a scrum team have to undertake? This is one of the important agile interview questions. Major responsibilities that a scrum team has to include: Breaking down the requirements, creating tasks, estimating and distributing the created tasks. To put simply they are in charge of creating sprint backlogs. They have to arrange daily sprint meeting. It is a responsibility of the team to ensure that every functional feature is delivered on time. They have to create a sprint burndown diagram to know to get the exact estimate of work done and the work that needs to be done. 16. Mention the principles of Agile testing. Not many people are aware of the importance of such Agile questions. The principles of Agile testing are: Continuous testing – This ensures the continuous progress of the product. An interesting aspect of the Agile testing process is that unlike the traditional methodologies where only the testing team is focused on product testing, it requires the entire team to participate equally in the testing process.  Continuous feedback – With every test, the client feedback is encouraged to ensure that the product meets the business requirements of the client.  Simple and clean code – Whatever errors and defects arise during the testing phase are fixed within the same iteration by the Agile team. This allows for simple, concise, and clean code.  Less documentation – Agile teams use a reusable checklist. Here, they are more focused on the testing process rather than the incidental details. 17. Differentiate between Agile and Scrum. A critical agile interview question you need to be aware of. Agile and Scrum have their fair share of similarities and differences. Since Scrum is a part of the Agile Methodology, both of them promote the completion of projects incrementally in small fragments. Also, both methodologies are iterative in nature. However, the main difference between Agile and Scrum is that the former has a broader spectrum. While Agile Methodology is used for project management, Scrum is ideal for projects where the requirements change rapidly. In the Agile Methodology, leadership holds the most pivotal position, whereas Scrum encourages the creation of a self-organizing and cross-functional team. 18. What are the crucial Agile Matrices?  Some of the essential Agile Matrices are: Velocity – It is essential to keep track of the project’s velocity so that the Agile team can have a clear about your progress, capacity, and other metrics.  Work category allocation – Allocating separate work categories provides a clear idea about where different team members are investing their time and what is the order of priority of the various tasks in a project.  Defect removal awareness – When team members work proactively and correct the errors simultaneously as they develop and test a product, the quality of the end product improves significantly. Cumulative flow diagram – It represents a workflow in which the x-axis represents time, and the y-axis depicts the effort of members.  Sprint burn-down matric – This allows the Agile team to track and monitor the completion of the work along with the sprint. Deliver business value – It is primarily concerned with the overall work efficiency of the Agile team. Only when all the team members are productive that the Agile team can deliver business value to their clients.  Time coverage – The time required to develop and test each iteration is measured using the ratio between the number of lines in a code (test suite) and the number of relative lines of codes. Defect resolution time – As the name suggests, it pertains to the time required to detect and fix bugs and issues. This is an elaborate process that requires the Agile team to collaborate and deliver improved results in the most productive manner possible. 19. Explain “Zero Sprint” in Agile. One of the important agile interview questions. In Agile Methodology, Zero Sprint refers to the first step that comes before the first sprint. So, it is more like a pre-step to the first sprint. Thus, Zero Sprint would include a host of activities that are to be completed before starting a project, including setting up the development environment, preparing backlog, and other such tasks that are usually done before beginning the actual development process.  20. What is the ideal duration of a Scrum Sprint? The duration of a Scrum Sprint or the Scrum Cycle primarily depends on the project size and the team working on it. A Scrum team may consist of 3-9 members, and it takes about 3-4 weeks to draft and complete a Scrum script. Going by this calculation, the average duration of a Scrum Sprint is four weeks. 21. Explain the role of the Scrum Master. One of the popular agile interview questions. The Scrum Master is the leader and supervisor of the Scrum team. The main job of the Scrum Master is to ensure that the team abides by the Agile values and principles and follows the agreed-upon processes and practices. Some of the most crucial responsibilities of the Scrum Master are: To eliminate all the obstacles that could hamper the productivity of the Scrum team. To establish a productive and collaborative work environment for the Scrum team. To protect the team from the interruptions and distractions of the outside world. To maintain a good relationship between the team, clients, and all the other stakeholders involved in a project.  To supervise the operations of the Scrum team and motivating them as and when needed.  22. Differentiate between “Sprint Planning Meeting” and “Sprint Retrospective Meeting.” Although the two terms may sound similar, Sprint Planning Meeting and Sprint Retrospective Meeting are quite different from one another. A Sprint Planning Meeting involves all the Scrum roles – product owner, scrum team, and scrum master – coming together to discuss the project priorities and backlog items. Usually, the Sprint Planning Meeting is a weekly event that lasts for about an hour. A Sprint Retrospective Meeting, on the other hand, is one where all the Scrum roles (product owner, scrum team, and scrum master) come together to discuss the good and bad elements of the sprint and the sprint improvements. This meeting is generally an extension of the Sprint Planning Meeting and can last up to two to three hours. Apart from these agile methodology interview questions, questions based on your previous experience in case you are already acquainted with agile methodology can be asked by the interviewer. You might want to revisit your on-the-job learnings and prepare answers to questions like: How long were your sprints for the projects you have worked on? What is the maximum number of scrum you have handled at a time? What kind of project management tools were used for your project? Have you used automated test tools earlier? How was your experience? Did your iterations overlap? 23. Is agile development a framework? Agile signifies all-embracing values for software development. It emphasizes the value of iterating rapidly and frequently to meet customers’ expectations. So, an agile framework is defined as an explicit software-development approach depending on the Agile philosophy expressed in the Agile Manifesto. 24.What are Agile Methodology Frameworks? It is one of the common Agile capital services interview questions. The Agile framework works on the Agile approach that offers data on the particular Agile-development practices. The disparities in the software development processes lead to Agile frameworks. The Agile methodology frameworks are also known as processes or methodologies. They lay the basis of Agile transformation. Some of the prominent Agile methodology frameworks used are  Scrum, Disciplined Agile, The crystal method, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Feature Driven Development (FDD), Lean Software Development (LSD), Rapid Application Development (RAD), Scrumban, and Kanban. 25.How to enhance the impact of Agile? You can include this question when preparing for the Agile capital services interview questions. Considering the increasing adaptation of Agile in many organizations, Agile’s impact renders the desired outcomes of effective agile transformation. The four metrics included in the Agile impact framework are customer satisfaction, operational performance, employee engagement, and financial performance. Organizations can assess the Agile impact by determining how Agile teams enhance the customer experience. Alternatively, you can do that by comparing the new values generated by Agile teams with the traditional waterfall output’s value. 26.How do you deal with distributed teams in Agile? Dealing with distributed teams is significant in many organizations. So, this one is one of the frequently asked Agile interview questions. The following tips help you to deal with distributed teams in Agile. (i) Uniformly distribute work and maintain apparent task allocation. (ii) Recruit self-reliant and dedicated individuals to fulfil the vision.  (iii) Create co-located teams and let them invent ways to share the work. (iv) Capitalize on collaboration technology to increase teamwork efficiency. (v) Arrange daily stand-up meetings to explore potential roadblocks and decrease dependencies. 27.How are Agile and DevOps different? Many leading organizations ask these types of Agile interview questions. Agile and DevOps both started their journeys to enhance the software development process. Agile prioritized working on software development rather than rigid processes. DevOps prioritized production and development. They both share a fundamental concept, but they target diverse stakeholders with unique business objectives. Each of them addresses dissimilar yet critical parts of software development. Agle sets the stage for DevOps and provides ways to develop software faster. On the other hand, DevOps focuses on quality and offers teams to deploy frequently. 28.How does Agile save you money? It is one of the popular Agile interview questions and answers from a business perspective. Agile processes are cost-effective. They are well-known for quality assurance, scope optimization, and cost saving. It only focuses on developing only the required aspects to save time and let businesses generate more revenue. The quality of deliverables is guaranteed when the iteration terminates. Agile reduces the completion time by motivating the compartmentalization of work. Agile delivery is faster because it focuses on high-priority tasks. Communication transparency guarantees faster product delivery. So, time saved ultimately saves money. 29.When should you use Agile project management? It is one of the common Agile interview questions and answers when it comes to enhancing organizational work efficiency. Agile characteristics like iteration, adaptability, short time frames, and continuous delivery make it suitable for project management. So, Agile is suitable for continuing projects and projects where some details are unknown at the outset. Agile project management is therefore useful when a project lacks clear timelines or resources. For example, designing a new product may create some challenges. Implementing an Agile methodology allows frequent product testing, quick iteration, and smooth communication with stakeholders. 30.Which is the best Agile method? This is one of the common agile questions when studying different Agile methods. Scrum is the best and most extensively used Agile methodology globally. The Scrum framework addresses two critical pain points of software development i.e. speed and altering client requirements. This approach executes the software development project in phases and each phase is called a Sprint. 31.How agile methodology is more advantageous compared to traditional methodologies? The key difference between Agile and traditional approaches is the order of project phases – gathering requirements, planning, designing, development, testing, and UAT. The sequence of the project development phase is linear in traditional development methodologies, whereas it is iterative in Agile. Testing is undertaken after the development phase completes in Agile methodology. Testing and development occur simultaneously in traditional methodologies. Client involvement is less in traditional development than in Agile development. Traditional methodologies are less secure. 32. How agile methodology works in testing? It is one of the advanced level Agile questions. Testing happens early and frequently in Agile development. Rather than waiting for development to be completed before testing starts, testing takes place constantly as features are added. The tests are prioritized similarly to user stories. Testers target to complete as many tests as possible. 33.What is included in the Agile Testing Lifecycle in Scrum? The Scrum Agile testing lifecycle includes the following points. (i) Contributing to user stories according to the system’s expected behaviour  (ii)Release planning as per test defects and effort. (iii)Sprint Planning according to user defects and stories. (iv)Sprint execution with continuous testing. (v)Regression testing after the Sprint planning completes. (vi)Reporting Test Results. (vii)Automation Testing 34.When to choose Agile methodology? It can be considered as expert-level Agile questions and answers. Agile methodology can be chosen in the following scenarios. (i) The developers are ready to lose work of a few days or hours when implementing a new feature. (ii) When limited planning is needed to begin the project. (iii) When there is more focus on what has to be done and less focus on scheduling and documentation. (iv) When requirements and priorities need to be easily adjusted all through the project to fulfil the stakeholders’ needs. 35.What are the risks of using agile methodology? Certain organizations may ask these types of Agile questions and answers in interviews. Here are the three key risks of using Agile methodology. (u) Budget risks –It denotes that occasionally, it’s difficult to accurately estimate the cost of a new product’s development during its early stages. (ii) Scope creep risk –It assumes scope changes during the development that leads to changing deliverables, shifting timelines, and budget increases. (iii) Less predictability -Agile adopts constant changes and it is occasionally challenging to provide long-term predictions. This risk deals with changing the deadlines for the vendor. The Steps of Agile Methodology Agile methodology aims to deliver more regular product launches and shorter project cycles than traditional project management. The Agile interview questions and answers mentioned above will help you understand the methodology in detail. Candidates can also create Agile interview questions and answers pdf for better access to questions for revision.  You may employ a variety of Agile models, including Kanban and Scrum, which are two among the most popular. However, any Agile approach will adhere to the same fundamental steps, which are as follows: 1. Planning the project  As with any other project, you should have a clear understanding of the final product, its value to the customer or company, and the way it will be accomplished before work starts. You may create a project goal here, but keep in mind that Agile project management’s goal is to make it simple to address modifications and modifications to the program. As a result, the scope of the project shouldn’t be viewed as impervious to change. 2. Developing a product roadmap An outline of the characteristics that make up the finished product is called a master plan. Due to the fact that you will develop each of these distinct features during each sprint, this is an essential part of the Agile planning phase. You will also create a product inventory at this time, which is a checklist of all the features that will go into the finished item. Later, while planning sessions, you can select items from this checklist. 3. Planning the release In traditional project management, there is one date that matters the most. The final date after all the planning and development is when you release the product. Agile, on the other hand, employs reduced development periods, also known as ‘sprints’, with features being delivered at the conclusion of each cycle. You will develop a comprehensive strategy for product releases before the project begins, and at the start of each sprint, you will review and reevaluate the plan. 4. Planning sprint The parties must have a sprint strategy meeting before the start of each sprint to decide what the role of each individual be and how it will be accomplished. To ensure that everyone on the team completes their allocated responsibilities throughout the sprint, it’s critical to distribute the workload fairly. A visual record of your workflow is also necessary for team transparency, shared knowledge, and the detection and elimination of bottlenecks. 5. Planning daily tasks Hold quick daily meetings to assist your team to complete their responsibilities throughout each sprint and determine if any adjustments are necessary. Each colleague will briefly discuss their upcoming daily tasks. These daily sessions should be brief.  How to Become a Full Stack Developer To prepare for an upcoming interview where Agile questions and answers may be asked, it is necessary to understand all aspects of Agile methodology and go through the Agile interview questions and answers pdf thoroughly. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Tips to Help You Prepare For An Agile Interview as a Developer Preparing for an Agile interview as a developer requires a combination of technical knowledge, practical experience, an understanding of Agile principles and methodologies, and many more things. So, keeping this in mind let’s learn some valuable tips to help you succeed in your Agile interview: Understand Agile Principles Before your interview, ensure you have a solid understanding of Agile principles and methodologies. Familiarize yourself with iterative development, collaboration, continuous feedback, and change adaptation. Know Scrum and Kanban Be well-versed in popular Agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban. Understand the roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team) and ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective) in Scrum, as well as Kanban principles such as visualizing work, limiting work in progress, and managing flow. Technical Skills Brush up on your technical skills, especially those related to the job you’re applying for. Be prepared to discuss programming languages, frameworks, version control systems, and other tools commonly used in Agile development environments. Practice Agile Tools Familiarize yourself with popular Agile tools like Jira, Trello, or Asana. Many Agile teams use these project management tools, so that hands-on experience can be a significant advantage. Collaboration and Communication Agile emphasizes collaboration and communication. Be prepared to discuss your experiences working in teams, how you handle conflicts, and how you communicate progress and challenges. Problem-Solving Scenarios Expect scenario-based questions where you might be asked how you would handle specific Agile-related challenges. Practice answering questions related to prioritizing tasks, handling scope changes, or resolving conflicts within a team. Continuous Improvement Agile focuses on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss how you’ve contributed to process improvement in your previous projects. Discuss any initiatives you’ve taken to optimize workflows, increase efficiency, or enhance team collaboration. Cultural Fit Agile teams often have a unique collaboration, trust, and adaptability culture. Be prepared to demonstrate how your values align with Agile principles. Share examples of how you’ve worked in environments that value these principles. Be Adaptable Agile is all about adaptability. Show your willingness to learn and grow, emphasizing that you can easily adapt to new tools, methodologies, and project requirements. Ask Questions Finally, be prepared with thoughtful questions for the interviewer. Ask about their Agile processes, team structures, and how they handle challenges. This shows your interest and helps you assess if the company’s Agile practices align with your expectations. Conclusion With that, we come to the end of our list of agile interview questions and answers guide. Although these agile interview questions are selected from a vast pool of probable questions, these are the ones you are most likely to face. These were the must-know questions and answers revolving around the agile methodology. Most companies practice agile development in one form or another, thanks to the features it has to offer. If you wish to make a flourishing software development career, what are waiting for? Master agile methodology. Explore more about Agile software development, check out upGrad’s Executive PG Programme in Software Development – Specialisation in Full Stack Development.

Wondering what is the range of DevOps Salary in India? In the last few years, DevOps has evolved from being just a “buzzword” to a mainstream practice in the IT world. According to Statista, as more and more organizations are adopting DevOps, there has been a 17% increase in 2018 from only 10% in 2017.  Source  Furthermore, the 2019 State of DevOps Report by Puppet Labs shows a positive trend in the global adoption of DevOps. Because of this reason, companies are not shying away from offering increased DevOps salary in India. Check out our free courses related to software development. Source Thus, if you have the required skillset and are ready to keep yourself updated, your career as a DevOps Engineer is expected to keep growing onwards and upwards. This line stands true especially when we consider that a DevOps salary in India is directly or indirectly dependent on how upskilled and updated they are. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Check out our best devops courses at upGrad Our Learners also read: Devops career path! This, in turn, has spurred the demand for skilled DevOps professionals, who are among the highest-paid IT professionals today. Tech giants like Oracle, Barclays, Accenture, Tech Mahindra, TCS, IBM, Wipro, Facebook, to name a few, are always seeking professionals with DevOps skills. Even e-commerce companies like Target, Amazon, eBay, etc. are readily adopting DevOps, thereby creating plenty of employment opportunities for DevOps professionals. The top roles in DevOps include DevOps Architect, DevOps Engineer, DevOps manager, Security Engineer, Automation Engineer, and Release manager. The demand for these engineers are always high. The list is endless. That’s the primary reason DevOps salary in India is quite high. The ever-increasing demand. Check out our Advanced Certification in DevOps We are sure, this must-have sparked a will to become a DevOps Engineer within you! Let’s take a look at who exactly is a DevOps Engineer and what is a typical DevOps salary in India? One-Of-Its-Kind Program That Creates Skilled Software Developers. Apply Now! Get Software Engineering degrees from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. What is DevOps? DevOps is nothing but a set of cultural practices, philosophies, and tools that help n organization to deliver applications and services faster than usual and improve and evolve their products at a much brisker pace than software development organizations that are still stuck with traditional infrastructure management processes. This ability to work at speed allows organizations to develop a much-needed competitive edge and at the same time, serve their customers in a better way. It is a term that has emerged out of the coming together of two related concepts. One of these concepts is agile operations or agile infrastructure. Agile operation is a concept that involves the application of Lean and Agile methodologies to operations. The second concept is a much broader one and involves a thorough understanding of how collaboration between development and operations teams through the software development lifecycle brings value. Because of the demand, DevOps salary in India is one of the highest. Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses Master of Science in Computer Science from LJMU & IIITB Caltech CTME Cybersecurity Certificate Program Full Stack Development Bootcamp PG Program in Blockchain Executive PG Program in Full Stack Development View All our Courses Below Software Engineering Courses upGrad’s Exclusive Software and Tech Webinar for you – SAAS Business – What is So Different? document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/mausmi-ambastha.mp4   What does a DevOps Engineer do? DevOps Engineers work in close collaboration with Software Developers, System Operators (SysOps), and other production IT members to manage and supervise code releases. They must be well-versed in IT infrastructure management that is integral for supporting the software code in dedicated, multi-tenant, or hybrid cloud environments. Our learners also read: Java free online courses! In a DevOps model, the development and operations teams do not function separately as ‘siloed’ units but merge together. Also, this approach to software development demands frequent and incremental changes. Hence, DevOps Engineers have to perform a wide range of functions across the entire application lifecycle – from development and test to deployment and operations. This calls for a versatile skill set that is not limited to a particular function or role. Check out our Advanced Certification in Blockchain To successfully implement the DevOps approach, DevOps Engineers must be well-versed in the best practices of DevOps methodology, which include: Continuous Integration – This practice requires developers to merge the alterations in their code into a central repository, after which it runs the automated builds and tests. Continuous Delivery – In this practice, the code changes are built, tested, and prepared automatically for the production release. Continuous deployment (CD) –This practice is about automatically submitting the changes done by a developer from the repository to the production process. It, therefore, saves valuable time because the operations team need not do it themselves. Infrastructure as Code – This practice encourages the provision and management of the infrastructure using specific code and software development techniques (version control, continuous integration, etc.). Monitoring and Logging – Monitoring and logging are essential to check and measure the metrics of applications and infrastructure and see how their performance affects the user experience of a product/service. With suitable monitoring, you can rapidly troubleshoot problems with the help of root cause analysis that identifies where a problem started. The AWS devops engineer salary because these engineers are skilled at monitoring and logging processes. Monitoring helps them identify how various systems influence each other –when they operate sequentially and simultaneously. A DevOps engineer’s job is nearly impossible without an exhaustive monitoring solution. Conversely, if a DevOps engineer can monitor all elements of your stack, the time-consuming and major issues can be quickly resolved. So, the ability to develop a quick solution suggests a decent AWS devops engineer salary. Communication and Collaboration – DevOps encourages increased communication and collaboration within organizations. Microservices Architecture – It is a design approach used to develop a single application as a component of small services. So, there are opportunities galore for DevOps developers, and the indispensable nature of their jobs ensures that DevOps salary in India is quite elevated. Container orchestration -DevOps engineers use container orchestration to ensure processes execute automatically and more efficiently. It also helps them to ascertain that designing rules dictate the conditions under which containers are shut down or spun up. Commonly, containerization is used to stabilize the use of resources as per the existing workload.  You can earn an admirable AWS devops engineer salary in India after learning how to build containers, Java, Go, Node.js, and Python 3. Now, we move on to the main functions and responsibilities of a DevOps Engineer. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Responsibilities of DevOps Developer To make your career to grow as a DevOps developer and earn the highest possible DevOps salary in India, you need to have been familiar with these responsibilities: Project Planning DevOps Engineers are an integral part of the project planning operation. Their skills in software development and system options, and business expertise (the risk, impact, and costs vs. benefits) allows them to foresee the project needs and resources. Product Development DevOps Engineers are responsible for developing, building, and managing IT solutions. To meet this end, they have to install and configure solutions, implement reusable components, translate technical requirements, perform script maintenance and updates, assist operations teams at all phases of data testing, develop interface stubs and simulators, to name a few. Product Deployment DevOps Engineers design and develop automated deployment arrangements by leveraging configuration management technology. This allows them to deploy new modules/upgrades and fixes in the production environment itself. Performance Management Apart from evaluating existing applications and platforms, DevOps Engineers also offer recommendations for enhancing the performance. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Maintenance and troubleshooting are two routine tasks of DevOps Engineers. Using strategy-building techniques, they delineate the requirements and procedures for implementing regular maintenance. Read: Career in DevOps DevOps RoadMap 1. Understanding the working of Cloud Service Platforms: One should learn the working of Cloud service platforms because many companies are using their infrastructure on the cloud. It is an essential skill which should be learned. 2. Knowledge of Using Tool to Monitor and Collection of Important Feedback: Implementation of changes as soon as possible after the collection of feedback is an essential skill for a DevOps Engineer. Knowledge of Monitoring tools such as Splunk, Nagios and many more are necessary for a DevOps Engineer to learn. 3. Knowledge and Experience of Deployment of Application: A DevOps Engineer should know how to deploy in the server of production. Knowledge of Configuration and Deployment in the production environment by using tools such as Docker and Puppet is beneficial. 4. Knowledge of Continuous Testing, Continuous Delivery, and Continuous Integration DevOps need to know how things can be automated in the testing stage. The codes should be less complicated so that it can run fine in both development and testing environments. 5. Good Knowledge of Tool for Source Code Management and Build Tools: A competent DevOps Engineer should know how to the process of building on automation. One should know how to build the commit continuously. There are some automation servers that DevOps should know, such as the working of Jenkins. 6. Skills of Source Code Management: A DevOps Engineer should have proficiency in at least one source code management tool (version control system) such as Git. Average DevOps Salary in India The demand for DevOps is high but companies require individuals to have the correct skill sets. Additionally, the better the experience, the higher is the salary. The average devops salary in India, according to Payscale, is Rs 674,202 per year, inclusive of bonuses and profit-sharing. Source Factors Affecting DevOps Salary in India The four main factors affecting the DevOps Salary in India are: Company – The company that you work for will have a direct impact on the salary you get. Experience – The more experience you have, the better is ability to understand the roadblocks and provide quick solutions for bugs. A combination of experience and company will get salaries and positions that help create a mark. Location – In the coming years, location is all set to play a smaller role in the salary you can expect. But, even then, location will continue to have an impact on the salary you can ask for and get from a prospective employer. Skill – The important skills you have, the better is the ability to understand. Location is all set to play a vital role in deciding the DevOps engineer salary in India. DevOps Salary in India: Based On Company It is an accepted fact, the bigger the brand or company, the higher is the salary an individual can expect. Let us look at some of the highest pay packages – Tata Consultancy Services Limited offers about Rs. 6,27,000 per annum as salary. It is followed by Accenture Technology Solutions at Rs 5,63,000. DevOps engineer salary Chennai and other cities depend on the employer. Source DevOps Salary in India: Based on Experience The more experience you have the higher your pay package will be. So, if you are a beginner and have only recently entered the industry, you will have to moderate your hopes accordingly. So, let us break down the DevOps engineer salary in India, depending on how many years of experience you have in your bag – Let’s see how a DevOps engineer salary in India varies based on experience. Source Entry-Level Engineer Salary in India The average entry-level DevOps salary in India is ₹366,337. Source Mid-Level DevOps Salary in India The average mid-level DevOps salary in India is ₹1,142,206. Source Experienced DevOps Salary in India The average experienced DevOps salary in India is ₹1,632,155. Source Let’s see how the DevOps engineer in India increases with experience: Source DevOps Salary in India: Based on Location Though Covid-19 may reduce the impact of location on salaries in the future, currently, location plays a crucial factor in determining DevOps salary in India. The Silicon Valley of India, Gurgaon, Haryana offers the highest salaries, with DevOps engineers in the city earning approximately 20% more than their counterparts in other cities. The comparison is done against the national average. Chennai, Tamil Nadu the other city competing for the Silicon Valley title, offers salaries that are 9% less than the national average. So, you can expect admirable DevOps engineer salary Chennai and DevOps engineer salary Mumbai. Source DevOps Salary in India: Based on Skills Let’s discuss how DevOps engineer salary in India increases with the skillset. As we mentioned earlier, you have to possess an impressive set of skills to acquire the best-paid jobs in the highly competitive market for DevOps engineers. Some skills get you a higher paycheque. So, try to invest in these skills. Development Operations(DevOps) – ₹694,145 Amazon Web Services(AWS) – ₹683,831 Linux – ₹671,250 Jenkins – ₹692,795 Python- ₹723,891 Source Development Operation and Amazon Web Services are sure to bring you more than the average DevOps engineer salary in India. In terms of popularity response too, these two skills ranked the highest. DevOps Salary in Other Countries DevOps engineer salary Mumbai and other Indian cities are admirable but let’s now look at the DevOps salary in other countries. DevOps salary in The US is $94,366. Source DevOps salary is The UK is £41,855. Source Most Demanding DevOps Skills 1. Linux Fundamentals And Scripting Gone are those days when companies worried about proprietary operating systems. We are now in the era of Linux. Most companies prefer hosting their applications on Linux. As such, skills in handling a Linux operating system are very crucial for a DevOps Engineer. So, a DevOps Engineer must be able to handle any scripting language and must be well-versed with at least one scripting language (preferably Python). So the inevitable DevOps skillset would be Linux and Linux based scripting. 2. Knowledge On Various DevOps Tools And Technologies DevOps practices are executed in various stages, and each stage has tools that can facilitate that stage. The main stages are Source Code Management Developers create and modify the software codes regular. Source code management software is used to store the code, merge new code to the old one, control the code versions, etc.  Configuration Management Configuration management is used to keep track of software and operating system configurations. It also helps to manage configurations across thousands of servers. It is done through a click of a button or the execution of a single command on the management server. Continuous Integration Continuous integration, abbreviated as CI, is the process of automating the code integrations from different developers into a single piece of software. Continuous Testing Continuous testing is the process of reducing feedback waiting time after code testings. The code is tested in the development environment itself using automation testing tools. Continuous Monitoring Continuous monitoring is used to monitor application performance, downtimes, error logs, etc. The main tools used are Nagios, Zabbix, Splunk, etc. Containerization Containerization is the process of virtualizing an operating system so that different containers running different applications can share the operating system and system resources. Containerization allows isolating processes from the other part of the software. Every container works as a virtual machine that runs a piece of the entire process. Many organizations evaluate the knowledge of containerization when they evaluate AWS devops salary. Since containers can be shut down and spun up very quickly, containerization makes it simpler and cost-effective to use various aspects of the software. A DevOps engineer must understand containerization because it influences how a product is developed, tailored, and tested. DevOps engineers skilled in these aspects can earn admirable AWS devops salary. 3. Continuous Integration And Continuous Delivery Continuous Integration And Continuous Delivery or abbreviated as CI/CD is the essence of DevOps. It is the practice of continuously integrating all the code from different developers, continuously testing them, and deploying the successful code to production. 4. Infrastructure As Code Previously provisioning IT infrastructure was a long, tedious, and manual process. With the birth of cloud computing and containerization technologies, the infrastructure needed by developers can be provisioned through an automated script. 5. Key concepts of DevOps  DevOps unlike what people think, is neither a technology nor a tool. It’s a methodology that doesn’t have a strict framework. So companies can adopt the methodology by tailoring the framework as per their standards. 6. Soft skills Soft skills play a great role in the IT industry with the adoption of DevOps methodology. Most companies prefer an Agile way of working using DevOps methodologies so that teams work in high velocity and produce deliverable faster to meet client expectations.  How does a DevOps Engineer enhance the DevOps culture? People consider DevOps more inclined towards a cultural shift rather than an innovative development method. DevOps engineers enhance a culture of collaboration, communication, and shared responsibility between all parties for the whole development lifecycle. One of the greatest challenges a DevOps engineer faces is letting all stakeholders work together. The stakeholders include front-end developers, back-end developers, UI/UX developers, product testers, IT operations admins, security admins, executives, and customer service Reps who deal with end-users. All these stakeholders are equally significant in the DevOps culture. Their respective visions share the same value.  The AWS devops engineer salary in India is increasing because these engineers are expected to bring a cultural shift. This shift may need developers and executives to improve their listening skills. A DevOps Engineer may need to guide them through the cultural shift process. How to Become a DevOps Engineer? You must obtain the experience and knowledge required to work with different technologies and teams if you want to become a DevOps engineer. It is crucial to learn the skills, implement them, and develop a portfolio that would impress potential employers to offer a praiseworthy DevOps engineer salary. It is better to work with different coding languages to understand how they are used to create solutions. Expanding your tech stack makes it simpler to troubleshoot issues and explain to stakeholders the opportunities and limitations. Another crucial aspect when it comes to earning a decent DevOps engineer salary is to become comfortable working with people from various backgrounds who specialize in different disciplines. Pursuing a relevant course can help in these cases. As you learn relevant skills, interact with various types of learners and tutors, and amass your portfolio, you will embark on your DevOps career with a nice Azure DevOps salary in India. What does it take to be a DevOps Engineer? At its core, the concept of DevOps seeks to combine and integrate the development and operations sides of software development into one continuous process. It encompasses the features of agile development, continuous integration, and continuous delivery, while also focusing on encouraging collaboration across the various IT departments (development, operations, support, and management teams). A DevOps Engineer is an IT professional with expertise in DevOps. These professionals have an extensive understanding of the software development life cycle (SLDC) and are adept in using a host of engineering tools and processes to solve complex operations challenges. Typically, DevOps Engineers have to juggle with different tasks, including coding, integrating, and testing – all aimed to enhance collaboration between teams and boost the development process.  As for the educational requirements, a DevOps Engineer must at least have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Information Technology or any other related discipline. Apart from this, a strong foundational knowledge of data center migrations is beneficial. Other skills that a DevOps Engineer should possess are – SQL, Linux, Unix, MySQL, Python, Java, MongoDB, Puppet, Maven, Crucible, Jenkins, Software Configuration Management, and Cloud services (AWS/ Rackspace, Docker, OpenShift, etc.).  While the job role of a DevOps Engineer usually demands around 2-5 years of work experience in DevOps platforms, senior-level positions like that of a DevOps Architect/Manager, require at least 10-12 years of DevOps experience.  Some of the most in-demand skills of a DevOps Engineer are: Excellent technical understanding of cloud infrastructure services like Azure, AWS, etc. In-depth knowledge and working experience in compute virtualization, automation, and DevOps methodologies. Proficiency in environment management (Linux/Unix, Windows, Shell Scripting, Ansible, Chef, Puppet, etc.) Proficiency in coding and experience in Software-Defined Data Centers maintenance. Proficiency in writing and maintaining deployment scripts. Expertise in managing nodes and diagnosing application services and server/ network issues. DevOps Roles and Responsibilities  DevOps philosophy is fast evolving and new designations, roles, and responsibilities and emerging. An interesting fact is that though companies list these roles separately, there is a lot of overlap on the responsibilities, duties, and skill requirements. As of today, most companies have the below list of job titles for DevOps engineers DevOps Architect A DevOps architect is responsible for analyzing and executing DevOps practices within the organization or a team. He architects the overall DevOps environment bringing in all efficient DevOps methodologies as per industry standards. He brings in the right tools for automation of the processes. Automation Architect The Automation Architect is a crucial role in modern DevOps. A large number of DevOps depend on automated processes and workflows that streamline teams and reduce the need for intervention. So, the Automation Architect is one of the critical DevOps roles that can offer a great Azure devops salary in India. Candidates skilled with the Automation Architect position possess a profound familiarity with DevOps platforms as well as integrations. They can quickly troubleshoot and solve problems. Release Manager In a DevOps environment, a release manager is responsible for planning, scheduling, monitoring, and controlling the software development and deployment process. He develops the development team and the operations team to be in sync, enabling frequent but short feedback loops. From a DevOps perspective, the Release Manager is a significant management and oversight position that demands a profound level of practical development knowledge. Leadership is the key priority of this role. They are not only tasked with coordinating multiple releases and comprehending CI/CD but also need to map development pipeline strategies and coordinate those amongst teams. Security Engineer In the DevOps, world security is popularly known as DevSecOps. The responsibilities include using different tools like log management and configuration management to ensure security throughout. DevOps emphasizes on a continuous security philosophy. Security is a crucial aspect of the development process in DevOps. Security must be parched into the product from the ground to make sure it is harder to crack. This can be achieved by a security engineer who can closely work with the software developers. The DevOps engineer salary in India for 2 years experience can be high if they are skilled at ensuring system security. Security Engineers are important not only for a product’s success but also to guarantee safe operation.  These DevOps engineers must be fluent with contemporary security standards, continuing attack vectors, and user behaviours that commonly bypass security and create holes. Automation Engineer In the DevOps world, an automation engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining the CI/CD process for all the applications and their builds using tools like Maven, Jenkins, Git, Gerrit, Gradle, etc. He would be automating the configuration management across the infrastructure and platforms using configuration management tools like Ansible, Chef, Puppet, SaltStack, Fabric, etc. Software Tester A test engineer in the DevOps culture has to align their test design, test cases, and test automation with the DevOps framework being used. A software tester verifies that the code changes work as intended and also makes sure that the changes do not break the software product as a whole. Integration Specialist An integration specialist works with the infrastructure operations teams and software development teams to create the integration and continuity of the code. He creates a holistic view of the working environments. He supports engineering and testing teams to meet infrastructure needs. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? DevOps or Platform Engineer: If the organization is adopting a DevOps approach, it usually appoints a Platform Engineer to support the platform’s infrastructure. This infrastructure includes different managed services and in-house development. A DevOps or Platform engineer can get a decent DevOps engineer salary in India for 2 years experience if they can effectively support the platform’s infrastructure.  Site Reliability Engineer: Also known as Reliability Engineer, a Site Reliability Engineer is accountable for guaranteeing the quality of orchestration and integration of tools required to support daily operations. When people think about DevOps initially, this is the ideal role that strikes minds. They skillfully patch the existing infrastructure with data storage infrastructures and cloud solutions. This job role is significant in all DevOps organizations because the inability to guarantee sound integration can lead to costly outages. Data Analyst: DevOps Data Analysts examine and derive data to fulfil development goals. They are an important member of the development team because they use user data and existing data to critically think about patterns that influence user experience and other design issues. Some of their responsibilities overlap with QA Analysts and UX designers. Product Manager: It is the only job position in this list that is chiefly an operations position. Being operations team members, the product managers are tasked with collaborating with the dev team to ascertain that the product’s requirements are fulfilled to a high-quality standard. The ability to ensure product requirements are met can increase the chances of a decent DevOps engineer salary in India for 2 years experience as DevOps engineer. Top Companies Hiring DevOps Engineers in India Amazon With its extensive cloud services through Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon has consistently needed DevOps professionals to manage and optimize their cloud infrastructure. Google Businesses widely use Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Google frequently looks for DevOps experts to enhance their cloud services and infrastructure. Microsoft Microsoft Azure is a leading cloud computing platform, and Microsoft often recruits DevOps engineers to work on Azure’s deployment, monitoring, and management solutions. Infosys As one of India’s largest IT services companies, Infosys frequently hires DevOps engineers to support its clients’ digital transformation initiatives, implementing DevOps best practices. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) TCS is another major IT service player, actively seeking DevOps professionals to assist their clients in streamlining development and operations processes. Wipro Known for its IT services and consulting, focusing on digital transformation. DevOps engineers play a crucial role in their projects related to cloud computing and software development. Accenture Accenture, a global consulting and professional services company, often hires DevOps engineers to help clients accelerate their digital transformation journey through efficient software development and IT operations. IBM This company has a significant presence in India and continues to hire DevOps engineers to work on varied projects like, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. Paytm One of the leading multination company in India, Paytm invests in technology and frequently recruits DevOps experts to maintain their high-traffic platforms and ensure seamless operations. How to Obtain a Competitive DevOps Engineer Salary? Here are several key steps to help you obtain a competitive salary in the DevOps field: Master Core Skills Develop expertise in key DevOps tools and technologies like Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, Ansible, Git, and scripting languages like Python. Understanding the entire software development lifecycle is crucial. Continuous Learning DevOps is a rapidly evolving field. Stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices. Regularly upskill through online courses, certifications, workshops, and attending industry conferences. Gain Practical Experience:  Apply your skills in real-world projects through internships, freelance work, or personal projects. Practical experience enhances your problem-solving abilities and makes you more valuable to employers. Collaboration and Communication DevOps is not just about technical skills; it also involves effective collaboration and communication between development and operations teams. Develop strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team. Certifications Consider earning certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Kubernetes Administrator, or Docker Certified Associate. Certifications validate your skills and can significantly boost your earning potential. Version Control and Collaboration Proficiency in version control systems (like Git) and collaboration platforms (like GitHub) is essential. Employers look for candidates who can efficiently manage code repositories and collaborate effectively with team members. Problem-Solving and Automation DevOps engineers should excel in problem-solving and be adept at automating repetitive tasks. Automating manual processes increases efficiency and productivity, making you invaluable to employers. Soft Skills Develop soft skills such as leadership, adaptability, and resilience. DevOps engineers often work in fast-paced environments where these skills are highly valued. Conclusion The opportunities for DevOps Developers are currently at their prime in India. We hope you liked our article on DevOps Developer’s salary in India. These numbers above are not set in stone. The real influencer of your salary is the skills you have,  the mastery you have attained over them, and how quickly you grow and make the company grow as well. If you’re interested to learn more about DevOps, full-stack software development, check out upGrad & IIIT-B’s PG Diploma in Full-stack Software Development which is designed for working professionals and offers 500+ hours of rigorous training, 9+ projects, and assignments, IIIT-B Alumni status, practical hands-on capstone projects & job assistance with top firms.

Managing domain names and directing traffic efficiently is pivotal in the intricate web of cloud computing and web hosting. Enter AWS Route 53, Amazon Web Services’ highly versatile and scalable Domain Name System (DNS) web service. If you’ve ever wondered how websites find their way to your browser or how to create resilient and performant infrastructure, you’re in the right place. This blog will unravel the mysteries of Amazon Route 53 and provide a comprehensive understanding of how it works and its vital role in modern internet architecture. What Is Route 53 in AWS? Amazon Route 53 is a robust cloud service offering essential functionalities like DNS management, domain name registration, and health-checking services. Developers and businesses use it as a reliable, cost-effective way of leading end users directly to Internet applications.  Route 53 in AWS is an intermediary between user requests and infrastructure in AWS (e.g. instances, load balancers, and storage services) or external infrastructure outside it – such as external websites accessed via API calls).  Characteristics of AWS Route 53  Amazon Route 53 offers many features that elevate its DNS and traffic routing capabilities. Here are the significant functionalities that make Route 53 a powerful tool in the AWS ecosystem: 1. Route 53 resolver It lets you get recursive DNS for your Amazon VPCs, AWS Outposts, or on-premises networks. You can create conditional forwarding rules and endpoints to resolve custom names, whether hosted in private hosted zones or on your on-premises DNS servers. 2. Resolver on Outpost endpoints Establish a Connection between Route 53 Resolvers on Outpost racks and DNS servers in your on-premises data centre. This facilitates DNS query resolution between on-premises resources and Outposts racks. 3. Route 53 resolver DNS firewall Protects recursive DNS queries within Route 53 Resolver by enabling the creation of domain lists and firewall rules for outbound DNS traffic. 4. Application Recovery Controller (ARC)   Readiness check Maintain ongoing audits of your resources distributed across Availability Zones or Regions to ensure their readiness for recovery. Routing control Using integrated on/off switches with DNS records allows you to effectively manage traffic failover during incidents. Safety rules Ensures compliance with specific rules during failover, safeguarding automated recovery actions and maintaining system availability. 5. Traffic flow Offers beneficial traffic management on a global scale, routing end users based on geo-proximity, health, latency, and more, optimising application performance. Understanding the Working of Amazon Route 53  Amazon Route 53 is crucial in translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses and making websites and applications accessible online. Here’s how it works: 1. DNS resolution  When users enter a domain name (like www.example.com) in their browser, their device sends a DNS query to a DNS resolver. 2. DNS resolver  The DNS resolver, which could be provided by an internet service provider or a third-party service, forwards the query to a DNS authoritative server. 3. DNS authoritative server  This server is responsible for storing DNS records for the domain. In the case of Route 53, it manages these records. 4. Record retrieval  The authoritative server retrieves the DNS records associated with the requested domain, which include IP addresses or other relevant information. 5. Response  The DNS resolver receives the records and returns the IP address to the user’s device. 6. Connection  The user’s device uses the obtained IP address to connect with the appropriate server hosting the web application. Check out our free technology courses to get an edge over the competition. Benefits of Amazon Route 53 Amazon Route 53 offers a range of benefits that make it a valuable tool for managing domain names and DNS services. Some are: High availability  Route 53 has a global network of DNS servers strategically distributed worldwide, reducing latency and resolving DNS queries promptly. This makes it ideal for critical applications requiring uninterrupted service. Scalability  Route 53 can effortlessly handle many DNS queries, making it suitable for both small websites and large-scale applications. It automatically scales to manage increased traffic, ensuring consistent performance. Load balancing  Route 53 supports weighted routing, allowing you to distribute traffic across multiple resources or regions based on specified weights. This load-balancing capability ensures optimal resource utilisation and high availability. DNS traffic flow policy  You can create traffic policies to control how Route 53 responds to DNS queries, enabling advanced traffic management and routing scenarios. Health checks  Route 53 can perform health checks on web servers or load balancers. If a resource fails a health check, Route 53 will stop routing traffic to it until it passes the check again. Integration with AWS services  Route 53 integrates with other AWS services, simplifying DNS management for AWS resources like EC2 instances, S3 buckets, and load balancers. This integration ensures that DNS records are automatically updated as resources change. AWS Domain registration  Route 53 also provides domain registration and management services. Users need not register domains through a domain registrar before configuring Route 53 for DNS management. They can simply use Route 53 to manage and register domains. Cost-effective  Route 53 offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, making it cost-effective for businesses of all sizes. You only pay for the DNS queries and hosted zones you use. Some Amazon Route 53 Limitations to Keep in Mind While Amazon Route 53 is a powerful and reliable DNS service, it does have some limitations, as mentioned below: Complexity  For users unfamiliar with DNS and AWS routing policies, Route 53’s advanced features can be complex to configure correctly. Misconfigurations can lead to service disruptions or suboptimal routing. AWS domain pricing  While Route 53 offers competitive pricing, costs can increase as DNS queries and hosted zones increase. Users should carefully monitor their usage and select the most cost-effective AWS routing policy. Propagation delay  DNS changes can take time to propagate globally, affecting how quickly updates to DNS records take effect. Route 53 has a low propagation delay, but it’s not instant. Limited logging  Route 53 provides basic logging and metrics, but users seeking more comprehensive DNS traffic analysis may need third-party tools or services. No reverse DNS (rDNS) for EC2  While Route 53 supports rDNS for certain AWS domain resources, it doesn’t support it for Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances. Users requiring rDNS for EC2 instances must use other methods. Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Amazon Route 53 Alternatives to Choose From Here are some notable alternatives to Amazon Route 53: 1. Google Cloud DNS  Google Cloud DNS is Google’s managed DNS service. It offers low-latency and reliable DNS resolution, integration with Google Cloud services, and global anycast IP addresses. It’s suitable for those already using Google Cloud Platform. 2. Cloudflare  Cloudflare provides DNS services with a focus on security and performance. It offers protection against DDoS attacks, global content delivery, and analytics. Cloudflare’s free plan includes basic DNS management. 3. Microsoft Azure DNS  Microsoft’s Azure DNS is tightly integrated with Azure services and provides scalable and reliable DNS hosting. It’s a good choice for those using Azure as their cloud platform. AWS Route 53 Security Features Here are some key security features and practices associated with Amazon Route 53: DDoS mitigation Route 53 is designed to scale and absorb DDoS attacks automatically. It can help protect your domain names and ensure their availability during attacks. Domain name registration protection AWS offers a Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) service for added security in domain name registration, helping to prevent DNS-related attacks. Private DNS Route 53 supports private DNS namespaces that can only be resolved within your VPCs. This is useful for internal applications that should not be accessible over the public internet. Encryption Route 53 supports DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT), adding an extra layer of encryption to DNS queries and responses. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Routing Policies Amazon Route 53 Offers Here are some key Amazon Route 53 routing policies that help achieve various availability, performance, and failover goals: Simple routing policy In this straightforward policy, your DNS records can be linked with one or more resources, such as an Elastic Load Balancer or S3 bucket, to distribute traffic evenly among them. This method ensures traffic flows seamlessly. Weighted routing policy With this policy, you can assign different weights to different resources. For example, you might direct 70% of the traffic to one resource and 30% to another. It’s useful for load-balancing traffic across resources with varying capacities. Failover routing policy  Failover allows you to configure a primary and a secondary resource (usually in a different location or region). Route 53 automatically directs traffic to the secondary resource if the primary resource becomes unavailable. This is useful for creating high-availability configurations. Geolocation routing policy  Geolocation routing enables you to direct user traffic based on their geographical location, for instance, routing European users towards resources located in a European data centre while sending North American users towards resources in a North American one. Weighted alias record  This policy is similar to the weighted AWS Route 53 routing policy but can be used with alias records that route traffic to AWS resources like ELB, CloudFront distributions, or S3 buckets. Understanding the Route 53 Pricing Structure Here’s a breakdown of the AWS Route 53 pricing details: DNS zones The first 25 hosted DNS zones cost $0.50 per zone per month. Beyond the initial 25 zones, additional zones are charged at $0.10 per zone per month. 2. Policy records For each DNS name (e.g., www.abc.com), the Route 53 cost is $50 per Standard query for the first query. For queries beyond the first, the AWS domain pricing is tiered: $0.40 per million queries for the first billion queries per month. $0.20 per million queries per month for queries beyond the initial billion. 3. Latency-based routing queries Route 53 charges $0.60 per million for the first billion monthly queries. For queries exceeding the initial billion, the price drops to $0.30 per million queries per month. 4. Geo-based queries For the first billion queries per month, Route 53 charges $0.70 per million queries. Subsequent queries are billed at $0.35 per million queries per month. 5. Health checks The first 50 AWS endpoints are covered at no charge. Beyond the initial 50 endpoints, each additional endpoint incurs a fee of $0.50 per endpoint per month. 6. Domain registration Domain registration in AWS costs vary based on the top-level domain (TLD) and are determined according to the pricing sheet. Use the AWS Pricing Calculator or Route 53 pricing page on the AWS website to estimate costs based on your usage patterns and requirements. Route 53 charges may depend upon factors like the number of hosted zones, DNS queries per second scaled across geographic locations, and how widely distributed resources are. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion In the dynamic world of cloud services and networking, Amazon Route 53 remains a cornerstone for many enterprises, facilitating the seamless flow of data and services across the internet’s vast landscape. Moreover, alternative DNS and traffic management solutions may emerge as the cloud computing landscape evolves, offering different features and pricing models. Businesses must stay informed about these alternatives to make strategic choices for their infrastructure.

Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of project development fueled by technological progress is challenging, to say the least. To function efficiently, organisations have to quickly respond to changes and adapt to the needs of the development projects. For this, organisations have adopted some methodologies and frameworks of project management like Agile, Scrum, Kanban, etc., which ensure the smooth execution of the projects.  However, each of these project management methodologies is different from one another. How to be certain which one to opt for while completing a project? In this blog, we will discuss in detail what is Agile and Scrum methodology each and what are the differences between the two.   What Is Agile Methodology? If you are new to software development and unclear about What is Agile methodology in project management?” the answer is simple. Agile is an approach to project management that incorporates the use of short iterative steps towards the attainment of project completion. But what makes Agile the most often preferred choice? The reasons are many. With the help of Agile, one can work flexibly on projects, adapt to changes quickly, and maintain constant communication. In Agile methodology, the small incremental steps help monitor the progress smoothly and make it easier to incorporate the changes as and when required. This methodology focuses on quick delivery and easy adaptability rather than following a strict plan.  Agile methodology is a process of continuous feedback. It was initially incorporated for the purpose of software development but is now being used for a variety of projects.  What Is Scrum Methodology? The question that follows next is What is Scrum project management? Scrum is a framework within Agile methodology that organisations use to execute tasks in an organised manner and achieve a common goal. If you are wondering what is Agile Scrum methodology, here is the explanation. While Agile is a project management philosophy, Scrum is an Agile framework. Scrum helps break down the project into smaller plans, reducing its scope. Teams working on the project can allot distinct timelines for each activity.  The use of Scrum is found in both software development as well as in other tasks like research and development. Scrum uses several tools, meetings, and roles for the smooth execution of a project delivery. In Scrum, teams manage themselves independently, learn from experiences, and quickly adapt to changes.  Agile vs Scrum: Head-to-Head Comparison Now that we have covered what is Scrum in Agile, look at the table below to understand the difference between Agile and Scrum based on certain parameters. Parameter  Agile  Scrum Methodology Agile is an approach to project management.  It is a framework of Agile methodology. Prioritisation In Agile, prioritisation means deciding the order in which the Agile team will work on achieving the goals of a project.  In Scrum, prioritisation takes place based on value.  Alternative Waterfall is a good alternative to Agile. Kanban is a good alternative to Scrum. Delivery  Agile ensures continuous delivery so that any change can be incorporated immediately.  In Scrum, delivery is made after the completion of each sprint.  Collaboration mode  Members from various cross-functional teams collaborate with one another for the execution of a task.  The task is operated through regular sprint meetings, sprint planning, and retrospectives.  Design and execution  Simple.  Innovative.  Flexibility  Low.  High.  Leadership The project execution is taken care of by a Project Head.  Cross-functional teams work in collaboration with one another to ensure the smooth execution of the projects.  Agile Methodology vs. Scrum Mentioned below is how Agile and Scrum are different from one another based on each of the parameters.  What they are To answer ‘what is Agile process’, Agile is a project management methodology based on an incremental and iterative approach. Whereas Scrum is an Agile implementation where customers are delivered incremental builds every two or three weeks.  Scope of use Agile can be used in projects managed by an expert management team. It can be used in small environments. On the other hand, Scrum is suitable for use in projects subject to frequent change.  Leadership Leadership is an important aspect of Agile methodology. There is a project head who takes the mantle of the project. Scrum incorporates the use of a cross-functional team that has good self-organising abilities. The entire team is responsible for the progress of a project.  Flexibility While Agile is slightly rigid, and there is little room for changes to be incorporated frequently, Scrum’s ability to react quickly is noteworthy.  Roles In Agile, several cross-functional teams interact face-to-face and collaborate to execute tasks effectively. In Scrum, fixed tasks are assigned to individuals designated as Scrum masters, product owners, and team members.  Delivery In Agile, the progress must be delivered to the customers frequently to seek their feedback regularly. In Scrum, the builds are delivered to the clients after each sprint so they can leave their feedback on the same and suggest any change they might be looking for.  Design and execution  In Agile, the design and execution must be kept simple, whereas in Scrum, the design and execution can be made experimental and innovative.  Check out our free technology courses to get an edge over the competition. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Agile and Scrum: A Study of Their Similarities By now, we have already understood that Agile and Scrum are complementary, so we cannot draw many comparisons between the two.  Now that we have seen the Scrum and Agile differences, let us glance through the similarities.  Adaptability: Both Agile and Scrum are designed in a way that can adapt to changes. They do not follow a fixed plan. This helps to deal with the ever-changing demands of the clients.  Provide similar outcomes: To be able to measure the progress, it is important to focus on the outcomes. Agile and Scrum help speed up the development process by allowing faster results and better transparency.  Foster collaboration: Both Agile and Scrum facilitate collaboration among the team members. As for Scrum, there are daily 15-minute events where all the members, like the Scrum Master and Product Owner, participate.  Organisations can reach their sprint goal faster through these meetings and adjust to changes accordingly. This helps to improve communication and collaboration between the cross-functional teams and build trust between them. Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Agile vs. Other Methodologies Each of the project management methodologies has its own advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for a certain kind of project. In this blog, we have discussed what is Agile project management, what is Scrum methodology, and what is the difference between Agile and Scrum till now.  Let us now look at the key differences between Agile, Waterfall, and Kanban so you can thoroughly understand them and make an informed decision while choosing the right project management framework.  1. Agile vs. Waterfall Are you wondering what differentiates Agile from the Waterfall methodology? Agile and Waterfall are distinct project management methodologies that aid in successfully completing a project. The Waterfall methodology follows a linear approach to management, whereas the Agile methodology is flexible and can support changes at the different stages of the project. In the Waterfall model, a sequential order is followed. The project development team moves to the next development phase only after completing the previous step.  In Agile methodology, the project development follows a constant iterative development and testing process. Unlike the Waterfall model, the development and testing activities occur simultaneously. This also facilitates seamless communication between customers, managers, developers, and testers.  2. Agile vs. Kanban Agile methodology is a new approach to software development that emphasises continuous iterative development occurring throughout the software development life cycle. This allows the provision to incorporate changes according to the immediate requirements and feedback of the clients.  On the other hand, Kanban is a project management methodology which acts like a visual signal that ensures that work is noticeable to the people. There is a board known as the Kanban Board, which displays the task workflows. This way, the flow of tasks can be optimised between the different teams. This also helps to maintain coordination between the teams- each team can remain updated about the progress of another team throughout the development phase.  Agile vs. Scrum: Which One Is the Best? Picking the best-suited project management approach can be difficult despite understanding what is Agile and Scrum. While Agile is a project management approach, Scrum is a part of this wide Agile umbrella.  Agile is best suited for ongoing projects that lack clarity from the beginning. It is ideally suited for industries prone to constant and unpredictable changes. Agile is a broader approach that stresses flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability.  On the other hand, Scrum is a framework encompassed within the Agile methodology. It provides a structured approach and helps manage complex projects through iterative development.  However, based on the project’s requirements, one can choose between either. Agile may be better suited if a project needs to follow an adaptive and flexible approach. For projects that require specific roles, artefacts like Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, etc., and events like Daily Standup, Sprint Review, Scrum is more suitable. You can also look for the difference between Scrum and Kanban, both Agile frameworks, and choose whichever fits best to your project requirements. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion There is no one-size-fits-all when choosing the most appropriate project management method. Based on the requirements of the organisation, its goals and objectives, and other criteria, one has to look for the methodology that will suit them the best.  Agile is a broad philosophy guiding software development with flexibility at its core, while Scrum is a specific framework within the Agile universe, offering a structured approach to project management. Teams can choose to adopt Agile principles and customise their processes or follow the more defined structure of Scrum. If you look forward to upskilling or knowing more about these project management methodologies, you can enrol in one of the certification courses offered by platforms like upGrad. These courses will help you better understand concepts like Agile methodology vs. Scrum, what is Waterfall methodology, Kanban vs. Scrum, and so on. Knowledge of these frameworks will help you make informed decisions and better execute a project.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud computing, Azure Active Directory or Azure AD has emerged as a cornerstone in identity and access management. Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just beginning to explore the intricacies of cloud services, understanding Azure AD is essential.  Managing several user logins simultaneously can be challenging at times. Access to Azure services can simplify and alleviate the burden of their work. Services such as SQL database, machine learning, and Azure active directory domain services can be made available to employees by assigning a unique user ID and password for each service. Azure AD makes it easier for the administrator to operate multiple user logins.  This comprehensive guide aims to demystify Azure AD, providing you with a thorough understanding of what it is, how it works, and why it’s a pivotal component in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem. Read through the blog to learn more about AD domain service. Understanding the Concept of Azure Active Directory Azure Active Directory can be defined as a multi-tenant and cloud-based directory of Microsoft. Besides this, Azure Active Directory also performs Microsoft’s identity management service. With the help of Azure AD, the employees of an organisation can sign up and access multiple services. These services remain accessible everywhere over the cloud and require just one set of login credentials. Azure AD is designed to facilitate secure authentication and authorisation while simplifying the management of user identities and access. The two types of resources that Azure AD gives access to the employees are:  External resources- These resources include Microsoft Office 365, SaaS applications, the Azure portal, etc.  Internal resources- These resources include the apps that are on your corporate network alongside the apps designed by your own organisation.  A traditional on-premise setup with Active Directory can be amalgamated with Azure AD by simply using AD Connect. This will help manage the accessibility of the cloud application.  Windows Azure Active Directory: How Does It Work? Microsoft’s newly designed Azure AD supports cloud infrastructure using REST APIs for data transmission. The data from one system passes to other cloud systems and applications that support REST.  Azure AD has a flat structure in a single tenant. For example, imagine the tenant as a circle, and that circle surrounds your data. You can have control over the data that is inside the tenant. However, you can apply control over your data only until it leaves the circle. 1. Users and Groups These are the building blocks for Azure AD. Users can be further categorised into groups that behave identically. Users in Azure AD can be both from outside and inside. This implies that you can let people join your organisation’s tenant from outside and grant them certain permissions that make them a part of your organisation. When approached correctly, this acts as an additional security to the organisation’s data.  2. Adding User and Groups to Azure AD The different ways users and groups can be added to the Microsoft Azure Active Directory are:  Using Connect Azure AD to sync users from Windows AD. The enterprises that have Windows AD already mostly opt for this method.  Manually creating users in the Azure AD Management Portal.  Using PowerShell to add new users. If not installed, connect to Azure AD Powershell by installing the Microsoft Online Powershell Module.  Programming the process with the help of the Azure AD Graph API.  3. Customer Domains Adding a customer domain to Azure AD enhances the user’s experience while migrating to the new system. This is how a default Azure AD domain looks:  @notarealdomain.onmicrosoft.com  Once you configure Azure AD domain services, your users can work more conveniently, thus improving user experience.  Check out our free technology courses to get an edge over the competition. Windows AD vs Azure AD: Studying the Comparisons The table below shows the difference between Windows Active Directory and Azure Active Directory:  Field  Windows Active Directory Azure Active Directory Authentication Windows Active Directory uses Kerberos and NTLM for authentication. Azure Active Directory uses cloud-based protocols. Communication Uses a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) for communication. Uses Representational State Transfer (REST) APIs for communication. Entitlement Management Administrators assign users to groups. Administrators organise users into groups.  Network Organisation The network organisation in Windows Active Directory comprises organisational units, domains, and forests. The network organisation in Azure Active Directory is a flat structure of users and groups.  Desktops Desktops are governed by Group Policy (GPOs). Desktops can use Microsoft Intune to join. Devices There is no mobile device management. Mobile device management exists. Servers  Manages servers by GPOs or other on-premise servers. Manages servers by using domain services. Reasons for Using Azure AD: The Benefits  In today’s world, where remote work and cloud services are the norm, securing user identities and managing access to resources is paramount. Azure AD offers a robust solution to these challenges, providing a foundation for secure, seamless, and efficient identity management and access control.  Below are a few reasons why using Azure AD can benefit users: Boosts security Azure AD implements certain authentication policies like multi-factor authentication and conditional access that are more powerful. This ensures that the accessibility to the company’s resources is limited only to authorised users.  Centralises management Azure AD enables centralised management for user identities. This feature lets you create, modify, and delete users from any connected application and service. This does not require managing each application separately. Hence, this acts as a time-saver and reduces the chance of errors.  Highly scalable This means adding and removing users and applications can be easily done. Business organisations can benefit from it as they scale up or down.  Carries out a smooth integration  Azure AD provides a seamless integration that makes managing user identities easier. You can work with many applications and services simultaneously, including Microsoft 365.  Cost-effectiveness Azure AD is a cloud-based solution that eliminates the need to purchase on-premises hardware and software. Hence, it helps save money while getting the job done. Azure Active Directory pricing is flexible, with multiple options available.  Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Features and Licensing of Azure AD The two licenses that give access to Azure AD are- Azure AD Premium licenses Microsoft Online Services You can access all the non-paid Azure features with a Microsoft Azure license or Microsoft 365.  The Power BI Premium licenses below give access to Azure Premium features: Premium P1 Premium P2 licenses Below are the features of Azure AD: Authentication Azure Active Directory offers strong authentication services. It has a feature that enables users to manage and reset self-service passwords. Application Management It uses services like the My Apps portal, Application Proxy, SaaS apps, etc., to manage cloud and on-premises apps.  Business-to-Business Under Azure AD, managing guests and external partners has become easy. You can also maintain your own corporate data simultaneously.  Business-to-Customer (B2C) Azure Directory permits users to customise others’ interaction with their apps. For example, users can customise how others can log in, sign up, or handle their profiles. Reports and monitoring Users can acquire reports of the security and usage patterns in their work environment.  Protection of identity It helps in threat detection and risk-based authentication. It also resolves suspicious actions, if any.  Identity governance  You can manage the identity of your organisation through business partners, vendors, app access controls, etc.  User enterprise Azure AD provides the management of license assignments and app access. You can set up representatives through groups and administrative roles.  Privileged Identity Management (PIM) With this feature, users gain access to the resources of Azure AD Directory Services. This also includes Microsoft Online Services such as Microsoft 365 and Intune.  Azure AD for developers  The apps that can be built with the help of Azure AD can sign in to all the Microsoft identities. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Azure Active Directory Connect Active AD Connect combines the on-premise directories with Azure Active Directory. The amalgamation provides accessibility to both cloud and on-premise resources with a common identity.  The features of Azure AD Connect are:  Synchronises a hashed user with Azure AD through an on-premise AD password. Provides a pass-through authentication through which users can have a similar password on-premise and on the cloud. Validates the identification of users and groups by matching them with the cloud. Acts as a central monitoring system. Azure AD: Common Attacks Against It With the easy accessibility to the internet, Azure AD is prone to brute force attacks. The attackers mostly use deceptive usernames and passwords to intrude into Azure AD accounts. This method of attack is known as credential stuffing.  Another widespread attack is the phishing method. In this method, credential theft occurs, giving the attackers direct access to your tenant.  Azure skeleton key attack is an attack on Azure AD Connect. This method of attacking occurs when the server, Azure Agent, is installed. The attackers take advantage of the Pass-Through Authentication in this method.  Other types of attacks include Man-in-the-Middle attacks, DDoS attacks, token theft and replay attacks among others. Azure AD: Securing and Managing Devices Azure Active Directory login supports a strong password policy with multi-factor authentication that can resist force attacks. By staying vigilant and implementing security measures, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches and protect their Azure AD environment from common attacks.  Some best practices that can mitigate these threats and enhance Azure AD security include: Implement multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security. Encourage users to create strong passwords and change them regularly. Use Azure AD ID Protection to detect and mitigate risks. Establish policies based on location, risk and device to control access. Constantly monitor user and administrative activities for suspicious behaviour. Educate users about security best practices, including recognising and avoiding phishing attempts.  In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion  Azure AD acts as the identity control plane in a cloud-based or hybrid environment, ensuring users have secure and seamless access to resources. It centralises identity management, offers robust security features, and integrates with various applications and services, making it a fundamental component in modern cloud-based IT ecosystems. 

Agile is a highly effective project management methodology, but its efficiency relies on the team’s collective understanding of key concepts, such as the product backlog and sprint backlog. Managing the influx of ideas and tasks becomes crucial as a product evolves from a single idea into a multifaceted project.  Product teams require a structured approach to navigate this complexity, ensuring they focus on the right work at the right time to deliver maximum value to customers and the business. This is where the product backlog and sprint backlog come into play, offering guidance and direction in distinct ways.  If you are interested in project management and aspire to pursue a career, keep reading this blog until the end.  Defining Product Backlog A product backlog is a strategic to-do list that guides the team’s actions in alignment with high-level goals. It is a fundamental tool in Agile and Scrum methodologies, ensuring collaborative and top-down task management. A product backlog highlights the most critical tasks, providing clear direction for the team’s efforts. Unlike a scenario where the product owner dictates the pace, in this case, the development team autonomously selects tasks from the backlog based on their capacity, be it a continuous flow (kanban) or structured iterations (Scrum).  Product backlog refinement Product Backlog refinement is a vital process within Scrum aimed at maintaining the cleanliness and organisation of the backlog. It is also known as product backlog grooming. It’s a collaborative practice initiated after each sprint to assess the readiness of the backlog for the upcoming sprint.  Regular sprint refinement sessions also aid in the proper prioritisation of tasks. Product Managers and Product Owners use these sessions to clarify the strategic intent behind prioritisation, fostering alignment within the cross-functional team and facilitating the development of precise, high-quality products. Defining Sprint Backlog The sprint backlog is a plan exclusively for the development team in Agile projects. It offers a real-time, highly visible snapshot of the tasks the developers intend to complete during the sprint. All these tasks are aimed at accomplishing the sprint goal. This backlog evolves throughout the sprint as new insights emerge and should provide sufficient detail for progress assessment during the daily Scrum.  The sprint backlog is collaboratively formulated during the sprint planning meeting, with the frequency depending on sprint duration. Its purpose is to define and organise work items for the sprint and clarify how the goal is to be accomplished. Difference Between Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog  Here’s all you should know about product backlog vs. sprint backlog:  Parameter Product Backlog Sprint Backlog Purpose Guides long-term product development. It is aligned with and serves the overarching goal and purpose of the product. Focuses on achieving the sprint goal. It undergoes discussion and agreement for each new sprint, ensuring alignment with the sprint’s objectives. Responsibility  Product Owner is responsible. The entire development team is responsible. Scope Encompasses the entire product vision. Limited to the scope of one sprint. Refinement Subject to continuous refinement. Refined during sprint planning and the sprint. Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog: How Do They Work Together? The product backlog and sprint backlog work iteratively. As the team completes items from the sprint backlog, the Product Owner can reprioritise the product backlog, adding new items or adjusting existing ones based on feedback and changing requirements. This iterative process ensures the project remains aligned with the long-term product vision while allowing the team to focus on short-term goals and deliverables. Check out our free technology courses to get an edge over the competition. How Should an Effective Product Backlog Be? To craft an effective product backlog, thoroughly understand your project’s requirements and objectives. Develop a strategic roadmap that outlines the product’s long-term vision while remaining flexible to adapt to evolving needs. Prioritise detail gradation, meticulously elaborating high-priority items while keeping lower-priority ones less detailed to optimise resource allocation. Product Owner’s Role The Product Owner possesses a comprehensive project vision. They are responsible for creating and maintaining a clear and concise product backlog, ensuring that every item is meticulously organised and explained to avoid potential miscommunication or misunderstandings within the Agile team.  The Product Owner’s deep understanding of customer needs enables them to prioritise work effectively, aligning every backlog item to meet customer expectations. By consistently placing the customer’s interests at the forefront of backlog management, the Product Owner guides the team towards delivering work that ensures the project’s success. Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself. How Should an Effective Sprint Backlog Be? An effective sprint backlog is a carefully crafted plan considering the team’s capacity and available resources. While smaller and more manageable than the product backlog, it still demands strategic thinking. It begins with a well-structured sprint planning meeting, where the team selects product backlog items for the upcoming sprint, outlining key steps and time allocations for each task.  Daily Scrum stand-up meetings keep the team synchronised, monitor progress, and promptly address obstacles. Regular updates, real-time tracking methods like sprint burndown charts, and Agile tools contribute to an effective sprint backlog, maximising the likelihood of achieving the sprint goal. Define parameters for the sprint It’s essential to consider the sprint’s duration, depending on team size and project resources, to ensure it doesn’t overwhelm or rush the team, resulting in inferior deliverables. Collaborate closely with the development team during the sprint backlog planning and task identification phase. Engage in a productive dialogue to determine a feasible sprint strategy that aligns with the team’s capabilities and goals.  Prioritise Prioritising tasks within your product backlog is essential, with the responsibility typically falling on the Product Owner, who possesses deep insights into stakeholder needs. Prioritisation ensures that the most critical tasks are addressed first, allowing for efficient resource allocation and aligning development efforts with the project’s objectives. This organised approach to task sequencing is fundamental to Agile project management, enhancing project efficiency and success. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Managing Product Backlog in Agile Here’s how you can manage product backlog in Agile: Ensure a well-defined and validated product strategy that aligns with your vision. Create a transparent backlog management strategy to prevent clutter and complexity. Periodically review the backlog, remove irrelevant items, add new tasks as needed, and prioritise effectively. The backlog should primarily concentrate on upcoming launches and immediate priorities.  Set limits on the number of items in the backlog, considering factors like the Product Owner and the team’s capacity. Prioritisation is the key. Align your backlog prioritisation with key performance indicators (KPIs) and the product vision. Utilise prioritisation frameworks and methodologies to maintain order and facilitate iterative planning. Maintain discipline in following the established rules and limits. Resist the temptation to overload backlog items with excessive information, adhering to the defined backlog management strategy. Managing Sprint Backlog in Agile The sprint backlog management is the development team’s responsibility. Effective communication within the team is essential to identify and address dependencies or impediments that may arise during their work. Here’s how you can manage sprint backlog: Begin by establishing a sprint plan with defined sprint durations. Maintaining consistent sprint durations helps balance workload and prevents time crunches. Assign items from the product backlog to the sprint backlog. Each team member selects user stories necessary to achieve the sprint goal and adjusts the work to fit within the sprint’s capacity.  Clarify and recap each item to ensure a shared understanding. When working on complex projects involving multiple teams, establish priorities for interdependent tasks to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure coordinated efforts. Conduct backlog refinement sessions before sprint planning to identify and resolve dependencies, ensuring everyone understands the timeline and commitments. Allocate a portion of the team’s velocity for handling potential problems. This approach ensures that the team is prepared to handle challenges while still making progress on planned features. Implement tags to categorise and guide work items within the sprint backlog. Document the purpose and use of these tags in project documentation.  Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog: Their Relationship The relationship between the product backlog and sprint backlog is crucial for effective Scrum project management. In the planning meeting, the development team collaboratively discusses and defines what needs to be accomplished and how it will be achieved. The product backlog is the repository of all features, enhancements, and user stories to be addressed in the project. From this list, items are selected and moved into the sprint backlog, essentially a shorter-term to-do list for a specific sprint. In the sprint backlog, the selected items are broken down into actionable tasks or steps that outline how each item will be completed within the sprint’s timeframe. This detailed planning ensures that everyone on the team understands the scope and requirements of each sprint goal. Thus, the product backlog guides the overall project direction, while the sprint backlog defines the specific work items and tasks for a particular sprint. Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog Examples Here’s an example of both a product backlog item and a sprint backlog item in the context of developing a project management software: Product Backlog Example: Item: “User Dashboard” Description: Create a user dashboard that allows project managers to track project progress, view task lists, and generate reports. Priority: High Estimated Story Points: 8 Acceptance Criteria:  Project managers can log in and access the dashboard. The dashboard displays an overview of all active projects. Task lists for each project are accessible from the dashboard. Users can generate project progress reports. Sprint Backlog Example: Item: “User Dashboard – Implement Login Page” Description: Develop the login page for the user dashboard. Assigned To: Developer A Estimated Hours: 16 hours Tasks: Create HTML/CSS for the login form. Implement user authentication logic. Design and integrate error handling for incorrect login attempts. Test the login page functionality. Dependencies: Completion of the login page is required before working on other dashboard features. In this example, the product backlog item represents a high-level feature or user story, while the sprint backlog item is a specific task related to implementing a part of that feature. The sprint backlog item is granular and assigned to a team member, making it a more detailed and actionable work within a specific sprint. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion The product backlog and sprint backlog are vital tools in Agile project management, serving different purposes yet working together seamlessly to ensure efficient product development and delivery. Understanding their roles is essential for successful Agile implementation.  The product backlog aligns strategically, while the sprint backlog concentrates the development team’s efforts on incremental delivery. Together, they empower product teams to plan, manage, and deliver valuable solutions, ensuring successful business outcomes for customers.

Manifestos are formal declarations of principles or beliefs that guide movements or ideologies. The impact of the Agile Manifesto principles has extended beyond its origins in software development to influence a wide array of industries.  Since its inception, it has served as a guiding compass to software engineers, offering invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of these fields. The 4 Agile Manifesto values have revolutionised the world of project management by emphasising collaboration, customer satisfaction, and adaptability. It promotes a people-focused, customer-centric approach, leading to more effective and responsive project outcomes. In this blog, we explore the 4 values of Agile Manifesto, delving into its history, its core principles, and its profound impact on modern project management practices. Agile Manifesto: Explained The Agile Manifesto outlines essential principles for working more efficiently, particularly in software development and project management.  These principles revolve around four key ideas: First: It emphasizes that people and how they work together are more important than using fancy tools or processes.  Second: It highlights the value of producing a working result over creating extensive documentation.  Third: It promotes close collaboration and communication with customers instead of getting caught up in strict contracts.  Fourth: It underscores the importance of being adaptable and ready to change rather than sticking rigidly to a fixed plan. The Agile approach values essentially provide a structured way of working that encourages teamwork, flexibility, and customer satisfaction. While it initially emerged in the software world, its influence has extended to various industries, all seeking to improve efficiency and meet customer needs more effectively. The Purpose of Agile Principles and Values The Agile approach values serve as a guiding philosophy in software development, emphasizing principles that have since extended their influence into various industries. It centres on effective communication, collaboration, customer satisfaction, and adaptability.  The following principles from the Agile Manifesto in software engineering represent a fundamental shift in thinking about how work should be approached to achieve success:- Communication and collaboration: Prioritises effective communication and collaboration among team members over strict rules and procedures. Customer satisfaction: Focuses on delivering valuable, working software to satisfy customer needs and preferences. Flexibility and adaptability: Encourages teams to adapt and respond to changing circumstances, fostering quicker problem-solving. Practical work over documentation: Shifts the focus from extensive documentation to producing practical, results-oriented work. High-quality software: Promotes the creation of high-quality software that is performant, scalable, secure, and easy to maintain. Detailed planning: Encourages thorough project planning to ensure clear objectives and alignment within the team. 4 Core Values of Agile Manifesto  The Agile principles are underpinned by four core values distinguishing this methodology from traditional project management approaches. These values prioritise individuals, practical results, collaboration, and adaptability, shaping the Agile framework’s unique character. Here are the 4 Agile values explained in detail:- Individuals and interactions over process and tools: Agile places greater emphasis on people and their ability to respond to business needs, considering them as drivers of the development process, over relying solely on processes and tools, which can be less adaptable. Working software over comprehensive documentation: Agile values practical results, emphasising the importance of producing functional software rather than extensive documentation, acknowledging that while documentation has value, software delivery is paramount. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation: Agile promotes collaboration between customers and product managers throughout a project’s life cycle, favouring continuous feedback and collaboration over rigid contract negotiations. Responding to changes over following a plan: Agile embraces change as an opportunity for improvement, working in short, adaptable iterations or sprints, which allow for flexibility and the incorporation of changes to enhance the project’s value. Check out our free technology courses to get an edge over the competition. The Origins of The Agile Manifesto Values and Principles In the early 2000s, a group of 17 software development experts gathered at Snowbird, Utah, to discuss the future of project management methodologies. This group, often called the “Agile Alliance,” included influential figures in the software development world, such as Kent Beck, Martin Fowler, and Alistair Cockburn.  Together, they crafted the Agile Manifesto, outlining the values and principles underpinning the Agile approach to software development and project management. The outcome of this meeting was the values of Agile Manifesto that challenged conventional practices, ushering in a new era of adaptable and customer-centric work approaches.  Though not in complete agreement on every aspect, the participants laid the groundwork for Agile software development and introduced a term synonymous with flexibility and responsiveness. Since then, the Agile Manifesto values and principles have gained momentum, aiding software developers and traditional project managers.  Importance of the Agile Manifesto The Agile Manifesto holds significant importance in Agile project management. It provides a foundational framework and guiding principles that empower teams to work more efficiently and effectively in a collaborative and customer-focused manner.  Here are the key reasons for the importance of the Agile principles and values:- Guiding principles: The Agile Manifesto sets forth a clear set of values and principles that help teams prioritise customer satisfaction, collaboration, and adaptability. This clarity allows teams to make informed decisions that align with their goals and values. Customer-centric approach: By emphasising customer happiness and satisfaction, the Agile Manifesto ensures that project plans and tasks are aligned with delivering value to the end-users. This customer-centric focus helps create products that better meet customer needs and expectations. Flexibility and adaptability: Agile methodologies, as guided by the Manifesto, encourage teams to be flexible and adaptable in response to changing requirements or market dynamics. This adaptability is crucial in today’s fast-paced business environment. Team empowerment: The Agile approach values empower teams to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and continuously improve their processes. This sense of ownership fosters a more motivated and engaged team. Efficient collaboration: Agile encourages close collaboration among team members, stakeholders, and customers. This collaboration enhances communication, reduces misunderstandings, and promotes a shared understanding of project goals. Iterative and incremental progress: Agile promotes iterative development and incremental progress, allowing teams to deliver value in smaller, manageable increments. This approach provides stakeholders early visibility into the project’s direction and fosters feedback-driven improvements. Risk reduction: Agile methodologies help identify and mitigate risks early in the project lifecycle. Frequent inspections and adaptability allow teams to address issues promptly. Continuous improvement: The Agile Manifesto encourages a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reflecting on team processes and outcomes. This leads to ongoing enhancements in efficiency and product quality. Alignment with business goals: Agile practices, guided by the 4 values of Agile Manifesto, ensure that project activities are closely aligned with the broader business objectives. This alignment helps organisations achieve their strategic goals more effectively. Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? Using Agile Manifesto: The How-Tos Applying the Agile Manifesto effectively requires a thoughtful approach encompassing the principles and practices it promotes. Here are some tips and tricks for applying the Agile Manifesto: Understand the foundation: Begin by thoroughly understanding the Agile Manifesto and its principles. Ensure your team and stakeholders are familiar with its values. Embrace Agile values: Cultivate an Agile mindset centred on collaboration, adaptability, and customer focus. Encourage team members to adopt this mindset. Customer focus: Keep the customer at the core of your work. Prioritise customer feedback to guide product development. Cross-functional teams: Form cross-functional teams to promote collaboration and reduce dependencies, streamlining project execution. Iterative development: Break projects into small, manageable increments and embrace iterative development cycles. Regular feedback: Establish feedback mechanisms, conduct retrospectives, and promote open communication within the team and with stakeholders. Encourage teams: Motivate your teams to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Foster autonomy and trust. Embrace change: Be adaptable and open to changing requirements, adjusting plans as needed. Celebrate achievements: Boost morale and motivation by celebrating team achievements and milestones. Patience and persistence: Understand that Agile transformation takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent in your Agile journey. Does the Agile Manifesto Still Hold Relevance Today? The Agile Manifesto remains relevant and treated equally important because it can adapt to what organisations need. With businesses evolving quickly, the Manifesto’s focus on flexibility is crucial.  Also, in a time when customers expect a lot, the Manifesto’s core values, which prioritise making customers happy and delivering value, are a solid guide. As technology advances, Agile’s way of doing things—step by step—fits perfectly with staying innovative.  When it comes to global and remote work setups, Agile’s teamwork and communication principles are vital. It’s also helpful for complex projects and encourages continuous improvement. Agile’s success isn’t limited to software—it works in many industries. So, it’s a timeless and versatile framework for success. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Agile, Scrum and Other Methodologies The Agile Manifesto and Scrum are closely related but distinct concepts within Agile project management and software development. While Agile Manifesto is a set of guiding values and principles, Scrum is a specific Agile framework that operationalises many of the Agile Manifesto principles on the other hand.  It provides a structured approach to project management and product development, featuring roles like Scrum Master and Product Owner, events like Sprint Planning and Daily Standups, and artefacts like the Product Backlog and Sprint Backlog. In Scrum, the values of Agile Manifesto are crucial. The Agile values and principles serve as the philosophical underlining of Scrum practices, guiding the behaviour and mindset of Scrum teams.  Criticism and Controversies About the Agile Manifesto While Agile offers numerous benefits, its practical implementation can be challenging and may not always align seamlessly with the cultures and practices of all businesses and projects. Here are some of the criticisms and controversies surrounding the 4 core values of Agile Manifesto:- Limited success in practice: Agile may not always succeed due to misinterpretation or incomplete adoption of principles. Cultural misalignment: Agile’s methods and culture may not align well with some businesses, leading to implementation challenges. Resistance to change: Agile often faces resistance when requiring significant cultural shifts. Overemphasis on speed: Agile’s focus on quick iterations can sometimes neglect other vital aspects like quality and documentation. Customer understanding: Teams may struggle to understand and prioritise customer needs effectively. Scope creep: Agile’s flexibility can result in scope creep, potentially affecting project timelines and budgets. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion The Agile Manifesto serves as a foundational document guiding teams toward effective project management and product development. Its four core values prioritise customer satisfaction, collaboration, adaptability, and working solutions. By embracing an Agile mindset, applying these values, and following best practices, organisations can create customer-centric, highly adaptable teams that continuously deliver value.  While there are distinctions between Agile and specific methodologies like Scrum, the overarching goal remains to deliver high-quality products that meet customer needs in software development.

The recent years have seen a surge in using the best Agile management tools and techniques, especially in software development. Breaking down projects into manageable, Sprint-sized sections has become the standard practice for achieving peak efficiency. However, using the best project management software to ensure seamless progress and alignment within Agile projects is important.  This blog covers the functionalities of Agile project planning tools and a comprehensive list of Agile project management tools for you to choose from. You will also learn why using the best management tools from Agile is a mandate for a successful deployment. Project Management Software Tool in Agile Agile software project management tools serve as the digital backbone for Agile project teams. It enables them to break down complex projects into manageable tasks, create sprint plans, and assign work to team members. The top project management tools aid in adapting to changing project requirements. Agile methodologies emphasise customer feedback and responsiveness, and Agile tools facilitate this by allowing teams to adjust their plans and priorities on the fly. List of the Best Agile Tools Used for Project Management As a developer, you must collaborate with multiple teams to ensure operational efficiency leading. Hence, choosing the right Agile project management tools can make all the difference in streamlining workflows and ensuring project success.  Here is a comprehensive list of project management software that can help enhance productivity and adaptability in your projects:- 1. ProofHub ProofHub is one of the most versatile Agile project management tools designed to streamline team collaboration, project planning, and task management. Features Its features include:- Task and project management Team collaboration tools Time tracking and reporting File sharing and proofing Gantt charts and Kanban boards Pricing Monthly: INR 7396.35 (89 USD) per month Annually: INR 3739.73 (45 USD) per month 2. Basecamp Basecamp is one of the top Agile tools known for its user-friendly simplicity and focus on communication and task organisation. Features To-do lists and task management Team message boards Document and file storage Scheduling and calendar Real-time group chat Pricing Per user: INR 350 per month  Unlimited users: INR 4800 per month  3. Monday.com Monday.com is one of the best tools project management tools list. It is a highly customisable Agile project management platform that adapts to various team workflows and project types. Features Visual project boards Workflow automation Time tracking and reporting Integrations with other tools Collaborative workspaces Pricing Basic: INR 664.84 (8 USD) per month Standard: INR 831.05 (10 USD) per month Pro: INR 1329.68 (16 USD) per month 4. Wrike Wrike is is comprehensive Agile project management tool with a strong focus on task and project visibility, enabling teams to work efficiently. Features Task and project planning Team collaboration and communication Time tracking and reporting Customisable dashboards Automation and integrations Pricing For starters: INR 0  Team: INR 814.43 (9.80 USD) per user  Business: INR 2061 (24.80 USD) per user 5. ClickUp ClickUp is an all-in-one project management and productivity platform designed to help teams streamline their work and collaboration. Features Task and goal management Time tracking and reporting Goal setting and automation Customisable dashboards Integrations with popular tools Pricing Free plan: 0 INR Paid plan: 581.74 INR (7 USD) per month  Business: 997.26 INR (12 USD) per month Check out our free technology courses to get an edge over the competition. 6. Active Collab Active Collab is also one of the most popular project management software focusing on task management, team communication, and project planning. Features Task management and tracking Team collaboration tools Time tracking and invoicing Project planning and scheduling Integrations with third-party apps Pricing Plus: INR 747.95 (9 USD) per month Pro: INR 664.84 (8 USD) per month Pro + Get paid: INR 914.16 (11 USD) per month 7. Asana Asana is also one of the most widely-used Agile project management tools, popularly known for its ease of use and flexibility. Features Task and project organisation Team communication and updates Workspaces for different teams Project timeline views Automation and integration capabilities Pricing Basic: Free  Premium: INR 913.32 (10.99 USD) per month Business: INR 2076.79 (24.99 USD) per month 8. Notion Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, project management, and collaboration features in a flexible platform. Features Customisable pages and databases Task lists and project boards Team wikis and documentation Integration with databases and apps Collaboration and communication tools Pricing Free  Plus: INR 664.84 (8 USD) per month Business: INR 1246.58 (15 USD) per month 9. Teamwork Projects Teamwork Projects is also amongst the popularly used Agile tools known for its task management and project planning capabilities. Features Task and project tracking Time tracking and reporting Gantt charts and task dependencies Team collaboration tools Integrations with third-party apps Pricing Free Starter: INR 497.80 (5.99 USD) per month Deliver: INR 830.22 (9.99 USD) per month Grow: INR 1661.27 (19.99 USD) per month 10. Evernote Evernote is a note-taking and organisation tool that allows users to capture ideas, documents, and tasks in one place. Features Note creation and organisation Document and image storage Note-sharing and collaboration Cross-platform availability Integrations with productivity apps Pricing Free Personal: INR 900.03 (10.83 USD) per month Professional: INR 1177.60 (14.17 USD) per month 11. Smartsheet Smartsheet is a work management and automation platform that combines project planning, collaboration, and reporting capabilities. Features Project planning and Gantt charts Task and workflow automation Reporting and analytics Team collaboration and communication Integration with popular business apps Pricing Free Pro: INR 581.74 (7 USD) per month Business: INR 2077.63 (25 USD) per month 12. Hive Hive is a project management and collaboration platform designed to help teams plan, execute, and track their projects efficiently. Features Task management and prioritisation Collaboration and communication tools Time tracking and reporting Integration with popular business apps Gantt charts and project templates Pricing Solo: Free Teams: INR 997.26 (12 USD) per month Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? 13. TeamGantt TeamGantt is a Gantt one of the best chart-based Agile project management tools that focuses on visual project planning and scheduling. Features Gantt chart project views Task assignment and dependencies Collaboration and team communication Time tracking and reporting Integration with third-party tools Pricing Lite: INR 1579 (19 USD) per month Pro: INR 4072.14 (49 USD) per month Game Changer: INR 33,158.90 (399 USD) per month 14. HubSpot HubSpot is an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform with project management and collaboration features. Features Contact and lead management Email marketing and automation Sales and marketing analytics Collaboration tools for teams Integration with CRM and marketing tools Pricing Free Starter: INR 1911.42 (23 USD) per month  Professional: INR 29,917.80 (360 USD) per month Enterprise: INR 99,726 (1,200 USD) per month 15. Zoho Projects Zoho Projects is a comprehensive project management tool with task management, collaboration, and reporting capabilities. Features Task and project planning Team collaboration and communication Time tracking and reporting Gantt charts and task dependencies Integration with Zoho’s suite of business apps Pricing Standard: INR 800 per user per month  Professional: INR 1,400 per user per month Enterprise: INR 2,400 per user per month Ultimate: INR 2,600 per user per month 16. Scoro Scoro is one of the best all-in-one Agile project management software that combines project management, CRM, and financial management. Features Task and project management CRM and sales tools Financial management and reporting Collaboration and team communication Integration with accounting and business tools Pricing Essential: INR 2160.73 (26 USD) per user per month  Standard: INR 3074.89 (37 USD) per user per month  Pro: INR 5235.62 (63 USD) per user per month  17. Jira Jira is one of the most popular and widely used Agile project management tools known for its user-friendly experience and extensive customisation options. Features Issue and project tracking Agile and Scrum support Customisable workflows Collaboration and communication tools Integration with third-party apps Pricing Free Standard: INR 644.06 (7.75 USD) Premium: INR 1267.35 (15.25 USD) Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript 18. Kanbanize Kanbanize is a visual project management and workflow automation tool focusing on Kanban board-based project tracking. Features Kanban board project views Workflow automation and analytics Collaboration and communication tools Integration with popular business apps Customisable workflows Pricing Annual plan: INR 12,382.65 (149 USD) per month, billed annually  Month-by-month plan: INR 14,875.80 (179 USD) per month 19. Proggio Proggio is a project management platform that combines timeline planning and team collaboration to help teams manage their projects effectively. Features Visual project timelines and planning Task management and collaboration Real-time updates and notifications Integration with popular tools Portfolio management and reporting Pricing Proggio tasks: Free Proggio PM: INR 66,484 (800 USD) per month Proggio plus: INR 1,24,657.50 (1,500 USD) per month 20. Agilean Agilean is another addition to the top Agile tools focusing on Kanban boards and process automation to enhance team productivity. Features Kanban board project views Workflow automation and analytics Collaboration and communication tools Task and backlog management Integration with popular business apps Pricing Team plan: INR 415.53 (5 USD) per user per month 21. Assembla Assembla is another widely used project management and version control tool designed for software development teams. Features Version control and code repositories Task and project management Collaboration and communication tools Reporting and analytics Integration with development and collaboration tools Pricing Starter (max. 5 users): INR 831.05 (10 USD) per user per month  Team (unlimited users): INR 1745.21 (21 USD) per user per month  Perforce (1 to 20 users): INR 3698.17 (44.50 USD) per user per month  22. Trello Trello is a popular and user-friendly task and project management tool known for its simplicity and visual board-based approach. Features Task and project organisation Customisable boards and lists Collaboration and team communication Integrations with third-party apps Agile project management with Power-Ups Pricing Free Standard: INR 415.53 (5 USD) per month  Premium: INR 831.05 (10 USD) per month Enterprise: INR 1454.34 (17.50 USD) per month Why Use the Best Project Management Tools From Agile? Agile project planning tools are pivotal in achieving project success. They are instrumental in elevating project efficiency, promoting collaboration, upholding transparency, and enabling an ongoing improvement cycle.  Agile project management tools essentially help in: Effective project management: Agile project management tools help simplify workflows, enabling teams to maintain order, track advancements, and meet project deadlines with efficiency. Enhanced collaboration: Agile tools promote real-time collaboration among team members, allowing for the effective sharing of information, ideas, and updates.  Transparency and insight: Agile tools deliver real-time updates and insights into project status. This transparency fosters accountability and keeps everyone well-informed. Continuous progress: Agile tools provide valuable insights that support the ongoing refinement of processes and methods, empowering teams to swiftly identify and address issues, ultimately leading to improved project outcomes. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion Agile project management tools are crucial for successful project execution. Selecting the best tools for project management tailored to your team and project needs is vital, focusing on features like backlog management, sprint planning, and collaboration.  Leveraging the top Agile tools listed in this blog can empower your team to boost productivity and efficiency and deliver high-quality software products within budget and timelines, making Agile methodologies even more effective.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, organisations constantly seek ways to enhance their productivity, collaboration, and product quality. This quest has led many to embrace Agile methodologies, and at the heart of Agile lies Scrum, a framework designed to streamline complex projects. The Scrum Master is a linchpin driving the project to completion.  This blog attempts to demystify the Scrum Master’s multifaceted status, shedding light on how this job improves cooperation, productivity, and overall project success. Read along to learn what is a Scrum and how to become an Agile Scrum Master.  What Is Scrum Master?  Scrum Master plays a crucial role in Agile project management, overseeing the efficient execution of the Scrum methodology. They go beyond the conventional role to facilitate cross-functional teams to operate efficiently while delivering value for stakeholders. Additionally, via orchestrating retrospectives and leading the team in self-assessment, a Scrum Master fosters a culture of continual improvement. This unwavering pursuit of perfection is key to the Agile mindset. What Is the Role of the Scrum Master?   If you’re wondering what is a Scrum Master responsible for, the answer is a Scrum Master is responsible for delivering value to stakeholders and guaranteeing Agile project success. Facilitator: Ensures the seamless and effective operation of Scrum events such as daily stand-ups, sprint scheduling, and retrospectives. Coach: Provides team members with advice and mentoring on Scrum concepts, Agile practices, and continuous improvement. Stakeholder Liaison: Liaises between the research and development team and stakeholders, enabling open discussion and overseeing expectations. Problem Solver: Identifies and resolves difficulties that impede the team’s growth, providing a productive and collaborative atmosphere. Metrics Analyst: Tracks and monitors important Agile metrics, including velocity and burndown visualisations for analysing team performance and supporting decision-making. Scrum Master Skills Becoming a Scrum Master requires possessing a combination of soft, hard and technical skills:  1. Soft Skills  Communication should be clear and succinct to encourage teamwork while successfully managing stakeholders. Gaining an understanding of team members’ viewpoints.  Flexibility to adjust to changing conditions and priorities in a fast-paced Agile setting. Ability to mediate team disagreements and maintain a positive atmosphere at work. Paying close attention to team complications and critiques fosters a positive work atmosphere. 2. Hard Skills  Comprehensive knowledge of Scrum concepts, roles, rituals, and artefacts. Proficiency in several Agile approaches, such as Kanban or Lean, to adapt to the changing needs of projects. Familiarity with Agile task management and reporting technologies such as JIRA, Trello, etc. Scrum Master credentials such as Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or Professional Scrum Master (PSM) might be advantageous. 3. Technical Skills  Understanding software development techniques and tools is essential to collaborate with developers. Data analysis and interpretation skills are mandatory for tracking important Agile metrics to make data-driven choices. Familiarity with systems for version control (e.g., Git) assists in cooperation and archiving code. Technical concepts ought to be conveyed effectively among technical and non-technical groups. Commitment to remaining current on industry developments and Agile practices. What Does a Scrum Master Do? The Scrum Master roles and responsibilities include encouraging Agile practices, nurturing cooperation, and assuring project success while continually striving for progress. The Scrum Master role is diverse, with several roles critical to fulfilling Agile projects. Here are the top 7 responsibilities of a scrum master: Standups – The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating daily standups (or the daily Scrum). Iteration/sprint planning sessions – Prevent over-commitment and scope creep. Assist with estimating and task division. Sprint evaluations – Attend meetings and provide input. Retrospectives – Record areas for growth and goals for future sprints. Board administration – Entails serving as the Scrum board’s administrator. Check that the cards are current and that the Scrum tool, whether Jira or other software, is functioning properly. 1-on-1s – Meet with team members and stakeholders individually as needed. Resolve disagreements within the team over processes and work styles. Check out our free technology courses to get an edge over the competition. Scrum Master Qualifications Becoming an Agile methodology Scrum Master doesn’t require any specific certification. However, candidates with a bachelor’s in IT, business or a related field are preferred by recruiters. Here are a few more qualifications that can help land the job: Certifications: A Scrum-specific certification, like Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or Professional Scrum Master (PSM), proves a candidate’s technical know-how, thereby attracting recruiters. Agile Knowledge: A deep understanding of Agile methodologies other than Scrum, such as Kanban or Lean, expands a Scrum Master’s toolset for responding to different team dynamics and scenarios. Experience: Prior experience working in Agile contexts or as a member of cross-functional teams can make fitting into the role much smoother. Career Path of a Scrum Master  It is crucial to note that the roles of a Scrum Master and Product Owner might sound the same, but the career path is not necessarily linear, as individuals can pick multiple paths based on their preferences, abilities, and organisations’ demands. Continuous learning, additional certifications, and being updated on industry trends are all important components in improving one’s standing in the Scrum Master’s responsibilities in Agile.  Scrum Master at the Entry Level Begin as a Scrum Master with fundamental expertise and a Scrum certification (e.g., CSM or PSM). Concentrate on learning Scrum ideas and practises while acquiring hands-on experience. Intermediate Scrum Master Continue to work with Scrum teams while learning more about Agile methodology. Take on larger teams and more difficult tasks. Advanced certifications or extra training in Agile frameworks such as SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) or Scrum@Scale would be beneficial. Senior Scrum Master Gain experience growing Agile practices for larger organisations with several teams. Assist and mentor junior Scrum Masters and teams. Lead organisational transformation projects and contribute to enterprise-wide Agile adoption. Agile Trainer or Speaker Become an Agile practices and principles expert, offering training sessions and workshops.  Present at conferences, write articles or publish books to share knowledge and experiences with a broader audience. Agile Leadership Roles Move into leadership positions, such as Director of Agile Transformation or Head of Agile Delivery, overseeing multiple Agile teams and driving organisational change. Chief Agile Officer (CAO) A Chief Agile Officer post can exist in some organisations, where an experienced Scrum Master or Agile leader plays a vital role in creating the organisation’s overall Agile strategy. Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself. Read our Popular Articles related to Software Development Why Learn to Code? How Learn to Code? How to Install Specific Version of NPM Package? Types of Inheritance in C++ What Should You Know? What Is Scrum Master Certification and How to Acquire It?  It is crucial to note that a Scrum Master’s career path is not necessarily linear. Continuous learning, additional certifications, and being updated on industry trends are all important components in improving one’s standing in the Agile and Scrum sectors.  Step 1: Understand the Scrum Framework Understand the Scrum framework, its principles, and its practices. Read books, articles, or online resources to gain foundational knowledge. Step 2: Choose a Certification Body Decide which Scrum Master certification you want to pursue. Popular certification bodies include Scrum.org, Scrum Alliance, and others. Step 3: Enroll in a Scrum Master Course Look for accredited Scrum Master training courses offered by certified trainers. Ensure the course aligns with the certification you’ve chosen. Consider options like in-person classes, virtual training, or self-paced online courses. Step 4: Attend the Training Participate actively in the training sessions, engaging in discussions, exercises, and practical examples. The training typically covers Scrum principles, roles, events, and artefacts. Step 5: Complete the Coursework Fulfil any coursework requirements, which include assignments, quizzes, or group activities, depending on the course. Step 6: Prepare for the Certification Exam Study the recommended reading materials and practice questions provided during the course. Review the Scrum Guide, which serves as the foundation for Scrum knowledge. Step 7: Schedule the Exam Register for the certification exam through the certification body’s website. Pay the exam fee, which varies depending on the certification body. Step 8: Take the Exam Sit for the certification exam, which is usually in multiple-choice format. Ensure you understand the exam format and time constraints before starting. Step 9: Pass the Exam Achieve a passing score on the certification exam. Passing scores may vary, so check the specific requirements for your chosen certification. Step 10: Receive Certification Once you’ve successfully passed the exam, you’ll receive a digital or physical certificate from the certification body. Some certifications also grant you membership in a professional community or organisation. Step 11: Maintain and Renew Stay engaged with the Scrum community, attend events, and continue learning. Some certifications require periodic renewal through continuing education or paying renewal fees. Step 12: Apply Your Knowledge Put your Scrum Master skills into practice by working with Scrum teams and helping them apply Scrum principles effectively. Explore Our Software Development Free Courses Fundamentals of Cloud Computing JavaScript Basics from the scratch Data Structures and Algorithms Blockchain Technology React for Beginners Core Java Basics Java Node.js for Beginners Advanced JavaScript Benefits of a Scrum Master Certificate  The Scrum Master certification certifies your Agile knowledge and abilities and opens up possibilities for your career development. It also helps realise the difference between various roles, for example, the Scrum Master and Project Manager.  CSM certification benefits include: Enhanced Knowledge: Certification suggests a thorough grasp of Scrum concepts and practises, thus guaranteeing Scrum Masters have an irrefutable foundation to manage Agile teams. Credibility: It enhances your profile’s credibility, making you a more appealing contender for Scrum Master positions and Agile roles. Career Advancement: A Scrum Master credential can pave the way for higher-paying employment and leadership positions in Agile teams and organisations. The average salary of a Certified Scrum Master in India is INR 14.8 lakh per annum.  Increased Employability: When hiring, many organisations actively seek certified Scrum Masters, enhancing employability in a competitive market. Skill Validation: Accreditation endorses your skills and expertise, informing companies you know how to direct teams and drive Agile projects to success. Difference Between Scrum Master and Project Manager and Product Owner  The table below lists the differences between Product Owner and Scrum Master, and Project Manager roles: Criteria Scrum Master  Project Manager  Product Owner  Responsibility Facilitates the team’s adherence to Scrum principles and practices.  Plans and executes projects within scope and budget alongside managing the stakeholders.  Prioritises and defines product features and works closely with stakeholders to meet customer needs.  Role Is a servant leader.  Is either an authoritative or a servant leader.  Decisive Leader.  Certification CSM or Professional Scrum Master (PSM).  PMP or PRINCE2.  No specific certification is required.  Limitations of Scrum Master Here are some of the constraints of the Scrum Master role: Do not often have statutory authority over team members or the organisation. They rely on effect and coaching to motivate change, which may be difficult. Emphasise enabling the Scrum process but could lack domain-specific expertise to add to the job’s essence. Can hold competing positions on the team, such as being a developer. This might make keeping an impartial and unbiased facilitation difficult. In-Demand Software Development Skills JavaScript Courses Core Java Courses Data Structures Courses Node.js Courses SQL Courses Full stack development Courses NFT Courses DevOps Courses Big Data Courses React.js Courses Cyber Security Courses Cloud Computing Courses Database Design Courses Python Courses Cryptocurrency Courses Conclusion  The Scrum Master’s effect is significant, from protecting the team from obstructions to boosting cooperation and enforcing Scrum adherence. Their dedication to improving team relationships, problem-solving, and establishing an Agile culture makes them an important addition to project success. The Scrum Master remains at the forefront with an unrelenting commitment to Agile principles, driving teams to excellence in providing value and responding to change.