Which methodology focuses on customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of usable software components?

The Agile methodology is fundamentally centered around customer satisfaction by promoting early and continuous delivery of usable software. It emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to change, allowing teams to adapt to customer feedback and evolving requirements throughout the development process. By using iterative cycles, often called sprints, Agile encourages teams to deliver functional software in short timeframes, allowing for regular updates and enhancements based on customer input. This direct engagement with the customer fosters a collaborative environment where their needs are prioritized and changes can be implemented quickly, ensuring that the final product aligns closely with their expectations and requirements.

In contrast, methodologies like Waterfall are more linear and sequential, making it challenging to integrate changes once the process is underway. Extreme Programming (XP) emphasizes technical excellence and continuous integration, but it is encompassed within the broader Agile framework. Rapid Application Development (RAD) focuses on rapid prototyping and iterative development but may not prioritize customer interaction to the same extent as Agile. Agile stands out as clearly focused on ongoing customer collaboration and satisfaction throughout the development lifecycle.