IFS Applications™ for

AGILE solutions
need agile
development
Introducing our agile
development methodology
2 AGILE DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY
PROF OF CONCEPT
ITERATION
DEMO
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
AGILE DEVELOPMENT
METHODOLOGY
Today, being responsive to change is not just a pre-
requisite for enterprises and the business software
they use. The way the software is developed also needs
to be agile because trends change and markets take
new directions even as code is being written. So the
functionality and priorities that made sense at the
start of a project might not be at all what the cus-
tomer requires six months later. At IFS we use what
we call an Agile Development Methodology—with tools,
architecture and processes that support change, which
involves customers throughout the project, and which
is uncompromising in its approach to cost, quality
and time.
HOW WE DO IT
Our agile development methodology is based on
moving forward in a number of stages—iterations
—which typically run for 2–4 weeks each. For each
iteration, a list of prioritized functionality is drawn
up. The development team then begins its assign-
ment, working to a plan that follows the priorities.
Toward the end of an iteration period, a working
HIGH QUALITY—QUICK RESPON
ITERATION
ALFA RELEASE
DEMO ITERATION
DEMO
product is demonstrated, customers can provide
feedback, and priorities can be revised if the
customer, or indeed the market, requires.
WHY WE DO IT
We use this development methodology because we
want to give our customers what they need, when
they need it. It means we develop the right function-
ality at high levels of quality in less time than before.
By involving customers so closely in the process,
we get their feedback much faster. As their goals or
needs change, we can change with them, prioritizing
on the fly to provide the functionality that helps
them sustain success. Releases come faster so cus-
tomers do not need to wait until a final core releases
for functionality that might make all the difference
to their business today.
“We’ve cut our work in progress by 60%, increased
our deliveries by a factor of 10, and achieved a 30%
enhancement in quality.”
Thomas Säld, Head of R&D, IFS

BETA RELEASE
TEST
EARLY ADOPTER PROGRAM
THE MATURATION
PROCESS
At IFS, product development follows a defined,
controlled maturation process. By closely monitoring
the various stages of a development, we can be more
certain that we achieve our key goals of customer
satisfaction, rapid deliver and high-level quality. It
also allows us to be more innovative and agile.
MAIN PHASES IN THE MATURATION PROCESS
First, a proof of concept is produced to test, among
other things, the viability of the product in the mar-
ket and whether it benefits customers. Once this is
established, development begins through a series of
iterations until a level is reached that can be tested
by experts outside the project. This is the alpha
release. When tests are complete and satisfactory
stability is achieved, the product moves into the
beta release phase—testing in real-life production
environment at customer sites. Key customers
(Early Adopters) are selected to run the functionality
live and provide feedback that forms the basis for
the final adjustment of the product before release to
market.
PONSE—RIGHT FUNCTIONALITY
AGILE DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY 3
RELEASE TO MARKET
CUSTOMER INVOLVEMENT FOR GREATER BENEFITS
Studies show that more than 60% of the features
and functionality in business applications is rarely,
if ever, used. So why should any company have to
go to the expense and effort of installing shelfware?
Our agile development methodology and its well-
defined maturation process involve customers at
several stages throughout development. They get to
influence what we do, they test the functionality in
the developmental phase and live as early adopters,
and they tell us whether it’s marketable or not. We
work close to our customers in what is more of a
partnership than a traditional customer relationship.
That enables us to focus our resources on the essen-
tials without having to compromise on time, cost
or quality—and it guarantees that our customers
get what they need, when they need to achieve
sustainable success in their market.
“Participating in the Early Adopter Program is a good
opportunity to influence the future of IFS Applications.”
Jay Gnuse, ERP Project Manager, Chief Industries, Inc.
About IFS and IFS Applications
IFS is a public company (OMX STO: IFS) founded in 1983 that develops,
supplies, and implements IFS Applications™, a component-based
extended ERP suite built on SOA technology. IFS focuses on agile
businesses where any of four core processes are strategic: service
& asset management, manufacturing, supply chain and projects.
The company has more than 2,000 customers and is present in
50+ countries with 2,700 employees in total.

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