Crystal

Crystal Agile Framework, Crystal method details, Crystal methodology, Crystal framework properties, Crystal family

Crystal is a family of agile methodologies, each of them being represented by a specific color based on team size and criticality of the product being built. The crystal method was developed by Alistair Cockburn who decided not to focus on step-by-step developmental strategies, but to develop team collaboration and communication.

Crystal method

  • Human-powered – the project should be flexible and people involved in preferred work.
  • Adaptive – approaches don’t have any fixed tools but can be changed anytime to meet the team’s specific needs.
  • Ultra-light – this methodology doesn’t require much documentation.

Properties of Crystal Agile Framework

  • Frequent Delivery
  • Reflective Improvement
  • Osmotic Communication
  • Personal Safety
  • Focus
  • Easy access to expert users
  • Technical tooling

Crystal family

  • Crystal Clear – The team consists of only 1-6 members that is suitable for short-term projects where members work out in a single workspace
  • Crystal Yellow – It has a small team size of 7-20 members, where feedback is taken from Real Users. This variant involves automated testing which resolves bugs faster and reduces the use of too much documentation
  • Crystal Orange – It has a team size of 21-40 members, where the team is split according to their functional skills. Here the project generally lasts for 1-2 years and the release is required every 3 to 4 months
  • Crystal Orange Web – It has also a team size of 21-40 members were the projects that have a continually evolving code base that is being used by the public. It is also similar to Crystal Orange but here they do not deal with a single project but a series of initiatives that required programming
  • Crystal Red – The software development is led by 40-80 members where the teams can be formed and divided according to requirements
  • Crystal Maroon – It involves large-sized projects where the team size is 80-200 members and where methods are different and as per the requirement of the software
  • Crystal Diamond & Sapphire – This variant is used in large projects where there is a potential risk to human life

Agile frameworks