How to assess Agile skills

Agile development is a software creation approach that emphasizes speed and flexibility. An Agile team works to deliver software more quickly through close collaboration between team members. It’s a nimble approach that enables a team to swiftly adjust direction when needed. 

Agile expertise in developers can lead to more successful projects and increased productivity. However, figuring out if a candidate has these skills can be a real headache. That’s where a pre-employment testing platform like TestGorilla comes in. We can help you assess candidates’ skills simply and accurately so you can be confident in your hiring decisions.

This article will discuss Agile skill assessments, why Agile skills are important, and how TestGorilla can help you find developers with the Agile skills you need in your team.

What is an Agile skills assessment?

An Agile skills assessment evaluates skills that individuals need to work well in a fast-paced software development setting. It measures candidates’ ability to collaborate, be flexible and adaptable, think in steps, solve problems, and communicate effectively.

Test-takers are usually given mock project challenges similar to real problems they might face in Agile development. They have to come up with the best and most creative way to solve these problems.

The assessment checks if a person can organize tasks well, work closely with others to understand project requirements, write clear instructions for the project, and set realistic goals for each work cycle, known as a sprint. It also checks if they can work well in diverse teams, lead in a helpful way, and communicate effectively to make sure the software is high quality and ready on time.

Overall, an Agile skills assessment helps you find out which people are ready to handle the fast pace and constant change in Agile development. It checks if they’re dedicated to delivering great work regularly and reliably. These assessments are crucial for ensuring your team has people who can make Agile projects successful.

Why are Agile skills important?

Agile skills are often vital in modern software development. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of hiring developers with strong Agile skills.

Projects delivered on time and within budget

Efficiency is the name of the game in software development, and Agile developers can help you secure it. They excel at planning and managing their time to deliver quality work on schedule. 

More than that, they can adjust their plans swiftly when things change, helping keep the project within budget. 

With developers like these on your team, you can look forward to smoother project timelines and fewer unexpected costs.

Fast adaptation to change

In business, things change often. When this happens, you need to decide fast what to do. This is another area where Agile developers shine. They’re flexible and able to shift gears when needed. They don’t just passively accept changes – they actively use them as opportunities to learn and improve. 

Agile developers can swiftly take advantage of new trends in the market, adjust project priorities based on what customers want, make the most of available resources during changing market conditions, and stay ahead of competitors by embracing new technologies.

Working software quickly developed

Prioritization is a key skill in Agile development. Agile developers can easily order their tasks by priority, saving less pressing action items for later. 

They understand that delivering working software on time is the number one priority, so they focus their attention on making software that adds value to the user as quickly as possible. This means you can provide value to your customers faster, giving your business a competitive edge.

Software that’s constantly improving

Developers with sharp Agile skills stay laser-focused on software improvements. They learn from past actions and continuously fine-tune their development processes. 

This means your software gets better with each release, constantly evolves, and always stays up to date.

A business with consistently improving software is always ahead. It’s good news for you and even better news for your customers. The software will work faster and more reliably for customers, and they’ll get access to better features and smoother performance. Plus, there will be fewer bugs and security issues to worry about. The software will also be updated regularly to match customers’ changing needs, ensuring it’s always useful and meets their expectations.

Collaborative, productive teams

The first core value of the Agile Manifesto, a document that outlines the core principles of Agile development, is that developers should value individuals and interactions over rigid processes and tools. 

What does this mean? Agile development avoids strict and cumbersome procedures that get in the way of flexibility and adaptability. It’s against relying heavily on specific software or technologies that could limit the ability to adapt or explore alternative approaches. 

Agile developers are encouraged to prioritize the human aspect of development. They don’t merely do their own thing in a vacuum. They’re team players: They collaborate, communicate, and work towards common goals. 

This method makes your teams more productive and efficient. Developers with strong Agile skills share information, knowledge, skills, and ideas with other members of the team to ensure more gets done with fewer misunderstandings and less wasted time.

Reduced business risk

In business, risk is always present. But with Agile developers on your side, it’s reduced. 

Why? These professionals are flexible and adapt swiftly. Their Agile process enables quick changes without throwing off your project timeline. This means they can pivot when needed, respond to feedback, or adjust to unforeseen challenges. 

Agile development reduces the chance of project failures, missed deadlines, and budget overruns. A business with Agile developers is a business that’s less likely to stumble.

What skills and traits are important for Agile developers?

So, what makes an Agile developer stand out? There’s a specific set of skills, knowledge, and traits that Agile developers have that make them invaluable. Let’s take a look.

Understanding and application of Agile methods

An Agile developer deeply understands Agile methods and techniques. They’re familiar with the Agile Manifesto, which outlines Agile development’s fundamental values and principles.

But, just as significantly, they understand how to apply these principles. They don’t just talk the talk – they also walk the walk. They know when to use the various Agile methods and how to adapt them to the task at hand. This enables them to work effectively, efficiently, and in harmony with the rest of the team.

Adaptability

A standout trait among Agile developers is adaptability. They’re ready to roll with the changes. In the world of software development, changes are par for the course. 

Whether it’s an evolving client requirement, a shift in project objectives, or a new technology trend, they can handle it. They remain productive and maintain high-quality work, even when the game changes. 

Adaptability doesn’t just mean being able to switch directions on a whim. It’s also about innovating, problem-solving, and approaching challenges with a positive and proactive attitude.

Applying engineering principles in software development

Agility also involves the ability to apply engineering principles to software development. 

Agile developers know their stuff. They’re skilled in techniques like continuous integration, test-driven development, and pair programming. These are important software development techniques that involve regularly combining code, focusing on testing, and working together with another developer.

These skills allow them to produce high-quality, efficient, and reliable software. Agile developers aren’t exclusively good at being Agile – they’re also excellent at software development in general. 

Soft skills

Agile developers need soft skills just as much as hard skills. 

Firstly, these professionals must be excellent communicators. They should be able to articulate their ideas clearly, listen actively, and work well within a team. 

Emotional intelligence is also crucial. Developers with strong levels of emotional intelligence can effectively handle stress, conflict, and complex interpersonal dynamics. This prevents them from burning out and creates a positive, more efficient working environment at your organization. 

Leadership skills are important too. Each member of an Agile team should be able to guide the rest of their team when necessary – encouraging collaboration, promoting a culture of trust, and inspiring others to do their best work.

Continuous learning

Lastly, continuous learning is a critical part of an Agile developer’s job. The world of technology moves fast. Staying current requires a commitment to learning and growing. 

They strive to refine their skills, expand their knowledge, and stay abreast of the latest trends, tools, and techniques. 

This commitment to continual growth means they’re always equipped to bring fresh ideas to the table, helping to keep your software at the cutting edge.

Skills and traits tests for Agile skills

Now, let’s discuss how to test these skills and traits. TestGorilla offers several tests you can use to find your next Agile developer.

Scrum Master test

Scrum is an Agile framework used in project management and software development. It emphasizes collaboration, iterative progress, and adaptability. 

Measure the Scrum skills of your potential candidates using TestGorilla’s Scrum Master test. It covers a variety of topics related to Scrum, such as Scrum practices, principles, roles, and artifacts. 

This test can help you identify those candidates who truly understand and can effectively implement Scrum in your projects. It's also useful to give candidates a selection of Scrum Master interview questions when they get to that stage of the recruitment process.

Product Owner test

The Product Owner plays a vital role in the Scrum framework, responsible for maximizing the value of the product being developed by the Scrum team. They act as a liaison between the customer and the development team to ensure everything that’s being produced is what the customer wants or needs.

TestGorilla’s Product Owner test measures a candidate’s knowledge of Product Owner roles, responsibilities, and best practices. It will help you find candidates who can effectively bridge the gap between customers and the development team.

Jira Software Cloud test

The Jira Software Cloud test assesses applicants’ ability to use Jira, one of the most popular project management tools used in Agile development. 

This test will help you identify those developers who can harness the power of Jira to keep your projects on track.

Software Engineer test

A software engineer must have a solid understanding of various programming languages, software development methodologies, debugging, and testing. 

With our Software Engineer test, you can measure your prospective developers’ abilities in these areas.

The test covers a comprehensive range of topics – from the fundamentals of computer science and software design to algorithms and data structures – to ensure your potential hire is proficient enough to do their job well.

Algorithms for Software Engineering test

Algorithmic thinking is a critical skill in software engineering. It involves devising a straightforward, step-by-step procedure to solve a problem or achieve a specific goal. 

The Algorithms for Software Engineering test evaluates a candidate’s ability to understand and implement algorithms in a software engineering context. 

Software Architect test

A software architect helps ensure your software solutions are robust, scalable, and efficient. They shape the overall structure of software systems and resolve technical issues that affect the architecture. 

Our Software Architect test can help you measure a candidate’s skills in understanding and applying software architecture principles. 

It covers topics like design patterns, software development methods, and architectural styles. This way, you can ensure your potential hire has the knowledge to contribute positively to your projects.

Enneagram test

Using an Enneagram test when assessing Agile developer candidates can help you understand their personalities and behaviors. 

The Enneagram is a model that splits people into nine different personality types. Each type has its own motivations, fears, and ways of dealing with things. When employers know a candidate’s Enneagram type, they can learn about their work style, how they like to communicate, and how they solve problems. 

This information helps hiring teams find candidates who are adaptable and work well with others. The Enneagram test also shows how candidates handle stress and conflicts. All these things are important in an Agile development environment. 

Using the Enneagram test, you can make better hiring decisions and create a work culture that values diversity, improves team relationships, and helps projects succeed.

TestGorilla can help you find skilled Agile developers

Having skilled Agile developers on your team is vital. They drive continuous improvement, contribute to efficiency, and reduce business risks. Agile developers bring adaptability, possess strong soft skills, and continuously learn new skills, which are all crucial to your business’s growth and success.

TestGorilla’s wide range of tests offers a comprehensive, accurate, and efficient way of assessing these Agile skills. By incorporating TestGorilla into your recruitment process, you can streamline your hiring and ensure that you bring in the best talent to help drive your business forward. 

Get started with TestGorilla’s free plan today.