Scrum: An Agile Software Development Process and Metrics

In a traditional software development process such as the Waterfall Model, works best in a stable environment. But, it is not flexible when it comes to change. There is a gap in the interaction between the users and the development team which leads to incomplete and misunderstood specification. Because of this, the end product is sometimes a surprise to users and this gap accelerates incorrect development of the software product. Once requirements are frozen there is no scope of accepting changes. There is a need for a framework which holds the solution for all these situations. With this premise, the agile development methodology came into existence. Scrum, an agile approach supports continuous collaboration among the customer, team members, and other stakeholders. Its time-boxed approach and continuous feedback from the product owner ensures the development of working product with essential features at all the time. This paper explains the agile software development approach, its proclamation and different frameworks of agile approach. Further illustrate most widely used framework: Scrum. This research paper covers the implementation and application of Scrum. It focuses on why Scrum is preferred over the Waterfall Model with the help of some survey results and later a discussion on some Scrum Metrics which will be helpful and accounting for the best Scrum Practices in achieving goals set by the software development team, the product owner and the customers. The outcome of this study shows that Scrum Metrics is critical and highly valuable for successful product development. The quantitative insight that these metrics provide for the Scrum Team, Product Owner and Stakeholders is necessary for achieving strong project dynamics and optimal results

Potential of Geospatial Technologies as a Cognitive and Spatio-visual tool for Mapping the Past

A major challenge in understanding the past is that it is not available for exploration at present. The sections of history that deal with geographical associates of human endeavours also pose a challenge to the readers and learners about the scale and experience of a past landscape. Despite the cognitive and reasoning capabilities of individuals, views of an entire landscape cannot be achieved by normal eye view. Geospatial technologies provide immense potential for accessing historical landscape and past realities. The tools are helpful in twin ways. Firstly, they enable learners to understand the existing information about landscape by providing synoptic and 3D views through interactive visualisation tools. Secondly, they enable researchers to look for clues to the past settlements in a landscape in ways that are not otherwise possible, i.e. “see” through infrared lens and integrate evidence gained from observations made across different times. The present paper discusses some of these advantages that we gain by applying gospatial technologies to normal human perceptions

Taking stock of 10 years of published research on the ASHA programme: Examining India’s national community health worker programme from a health systems perspective

Background: As India’s accredited social health activist (ASHA) community health worker (CHW) programme enters its second decade, we take stock of the research undertaken and whether it examines the health systems interfaces required to sustain the programme at scale. Methods: We systematically searched three databases for articles on ASHAs published between 2005 and 2016. Articles that met the inclusion criteria underwent analysis using an inductive CHW–health systems interface framework. Results: A total of 122 academic articles were identified (56 quantitative, 29 mixed methods, 28 qualitative, and 9 commentary or synthesis); 44 articles reported on special interventions and 78 on the routine ASHA program. Findings on special interventions were overwhelmingly positive, with few negative or mixed results. In contrast, 55% of articles on the routine ASHA programme showed mixed findings and 23% negative, with few indicating overall positive findings, reflecting broader system constraints. Over half the articles had a health system perspective, including almost all those on general ASHA work, but only a third of those with a health condition focus. The most extensively researched health systems topics were ASHA performance, training and capacity-building, with very little research done on programme financing and reporting, ASHA grievance redressal or peer communication. Research tended to be descriptive, with fewer influence, explanatory or exploratory articles, and no predictive or emancipatory studies. Indian institutions and authors led and partnered on most of the research, wrote all the critical commentaries, and published more studies with negative results. Conclusion: Published work on ASHAs highlights a range of small-scale innovations, but also showcases the challenges faced by a programme at massive scale, situated in the broader health system. As the programme continues to evolve, critical comparative research that constructively feeds back into programme reforms is needed, particularly related to governance, intersectoral linkages, ASHA solidarity, and community capacity to provide support and oversight

Evaluation of a novel local drug delivery system containing tetracycline hydrochloride microparticles as an adjunct to mechanotherapy in the management of chronic periodontitis

Background: Tetracycline hydrochloride is a primarily used antimicrobial for periodontitis. Due to its limitations when used systemically, local application in the subgingival zone is encouraged. The local concentration of the drug can be maximized further by optimizing its delivery vehicle. Aim and Objectives: The aim was to compare and assess the efficacy of novel drug formulation containing tetracycline microparticles with commercially available tetracycline fibers as local drug delivery agents in patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 patients in the age group of 23–53 years with chronic periodontitis were selected. Patients having isolated periodontal pockets with probing pocket depth (PPD) >5 mm were selected. They were randomized into Group A (scaling and root planning [SRP] + tetracycline microparticles) and Group B (SRP + tetracycline fibers). Clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at 0 and 90 days. The data obtained were consolidated and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Both the groups confirmed statistically significant improvement in all the clinical parameters. Results of the study showed enhanced CAL gain in Group A compared to Group B. Conclusion: The novel drug formulation is equally efficacious to the commercially available formulation, with decreased manufacturing cost and greater drug availability. Nevertheless, more clinical trials are necessary to study the long-term results