What are different aspects of Crystal Methods?

Crystal methods together constitute a family of methods called the “crystal family” and were introduced by the Alistair Cockburn around the year of 1990. Cockburn developed these methods after carrying out some interviews of the development teams and observed that some of the teams even though did not made use of the formal methodologies of software development were successful in delivering successful software projects and products. 

The crystal family he introduced can be thought of as a catalogue that includes their methodologies for delivering the successful projects and products. These crystal methods have been categorised under the category of the light weight methodologies. The term “crystal” in the context of the software engineering implies a view on the underlying core of values and principles and the faces are the means representing the standards, roles, tools and techniques.

Cockburn differentiated the methodologies, techniques and policies as:

1. Methodologies: set of elements like tools and practices.
2. Techniques: include skill areas like development of use cases.
3. Policies: statements dictating the must haves of the organizations.

Aspects on which Crystal Methods are Focused

- Below mentioned are the aspects up on which the crystal methods are focused:

1. Interaction
2. People
3. Skills
4. Community
5. Communications
6. Talents and so on.

- Cockburn stated that the above mentioned aspects are much important than the process which should be the secondary focus. 

- Crystal methods are based up on the idea of having variant talented and skilled individuals in the development team so that process element does not pose up a major factor. 

What makes the crystal methods the easiest agile software development method? 

- Crystal methods are very much tolerant to the issue that the teams can complete a task in several different ways.

- Crystal methods over the time have proven to be very effective in avoiding the rigid and strict processes (that were typical of the older development methodologies) and that is why they are very flexible. 

- Cockburn eventually developed may types of crystal methods for each and every type and kind of development team which are required to solve diverse problems. 

- These crystal methods are categorized by different color label denoting the weight of the methodology to be used. 

What are seven crystal methods?

- The crystal family of methodologies consist of seven crystal methods:

1. Crystal clear
2. Crystal yellow
3. Crystal orange
4. Crystal orange web
5. Crystal red
6. Crystal maroon
7. Crystal diamond
8. Crystal sapphire

- Depending up on the size of the project, the colour darkens from left to right. 

- The crystal methods have been scaled to the international standards based up on the size and criticality of the teams.

Properties of Crystal Methods

For all the seven crystal methods, some common properties have been defined as mentioned below:

1. Reflective improvement which involves taking breaks from the regular development routine and think and come up with ways of improving the process.
2. Personal safety involves free speaking within a group.
3. Easy access to expert users.
4. Frequent delivery is the measure of the ability of the method to frequently deliver the iterations of the software product or project. The features to be included in the iterations are decided up on by the developers and the designers.
5. Osmotic or close communication involves flow of information among the teams in a room.
6. Focus involves focusing up on direction in which the project development is taking place and individual task.
7. Technical environment inclusive of the automated tests, frequent integration and configuration management.  

Introduction to Crystal Agile Methodology and Agile Modeling

Crystal agile methodology is a software development approach. It is applicable for projects with small teams. It is a light weight approach. It is an adaptable approach. Crystal is a human powered methodology which means focus is on enhancing the work of the people. Crystal is ultra light which means it reduces the paper work, overhead involved. Crystal is stretch to fit methodology which means it grows just enough to get it to the right size. Crystal focuses on people and not processes.

Crystal consists of methodologies like Crystal Yellow, Crystal Orange, Crystal clear etc. It believes that project requires policies, practices and priorities as characteristics. Crystal methodology is based on the observation of various teams. Crystal methodology focuses on things that matter the most and make the most difference.

Agile Modeling suggests modeling is essential for all systems, but that the complexity, type, and size of the model must be in accordance with the software that is to be built. Some principles of agile methodology are:
- Agile Modeling is a practice based methodology.
- Values, principles and practices combine together for modeling.
- Agile Modeling is not a prescriptive process.
- Agile Modeling is not a complete software process.
- Agile Modeling focus on effective modeling and documentation.
- Developers using agile modeling should model with a purpose.
- Different models should be used to present different aspect and only those models should be kept that provide value.
- Traveling light is an appropriate approach for all software engineering work. Build only those models that provide value - no more, no less.
- During modeling, content is more important than representation.
- Be aware of the models and tools that are used to create them.
- The modeling approach should be able to adapt to the needs of agile team.

Agile modeling becomes difficult to implement in large teams, lack of modeling skills or team members are not co-located.

Quick Overview of Crystal Methods - Type of Agile Software Development

The Crystal methodology is one of the most lightweight, adaptable approaches to software development. Crystal is actually comprised of a family of methodologies (Crystal Clear, Crystal Yellow, Crystal Orange, etc.) whose unique characteristics are driven by several factors such as team size, system criticality, and project priorities. This Crystal family addresses the realization that each project may require a slightly tailored set of policies, practices, and processes in order to meet the project’s unique characteristics.

The use of the word "crystal" refers to the various facets of a gemstone — each a different face on an underlying core. The underlying core represents values and principles, while each facet represents a specific set of elements such as techniques, roles, tools, and standards. Cockburn also differentiates between methodology, techniques, and policies. A methodology is a set of elements (practices, tools); techniques are skill areas such as developing use cases; and policies dictate organizational "musts".