You are here: Programming > Agile Working
Method

Author: (with the help of ChatGPT) | Reading time approximately: 4 min | last modified: 08.05.2026

Have your website individually extended – here's how the programming works

Custom functions extend your website exactly where standard solutions are not sufficient. To keep the implementation efficient, plannable, and traceable, programming follows a clear structure.

In general there are two established ways to implement custom extensions for a website: traditionally with a Lastenheft and Pflichtenheft or agile with a lean requirements definition.

Variant 1: Programming with Lastenheft and Pflichtenheft

This approach makes sense when the requirements for the website extension are already clearly defined.

Process of traditional programming

1. Request and preliminary offer
You describe the desired function or extension of your website. Based on this you will receive an initial estimate.

2. Create Lastenheft
All requirements are described completely and structurally – from a professional perspective.

3. Develop the Pflichtenheft
The technical implementation is defined concretely. The Pflichtenheft specifies how the programming will be carried out.

4. Implementation of the website extension
The development proceeds exactly according to the specification – structured, documented, and traceable.

5. Acceptance of the programmed function
You review the finished extension against the defined requirements.

Advantages of this method

Clear definition of deliverables
High planning reliability
Reliable project scope

Limitations

Changes during implementation are more costly
Less flexibility with new requirements

Variant 2: Agile programming with a simplified Lastenheft

This variant is suitable when the requirements for the website extension are not yet fully defined or should deliberately remain flexible.

Process of agile implementation

1. Definition of the function goal
Joint clarification: What task should the extension fulfill?

2. Lean Lastenheft
A focused description of the most important requirements without excessive detail.

3. Iterative programming
The implementation proceeds in steps. Results are regularly aligned and developed further directly.

4. Ongoing optimization
New requirements and insights flow immediately into further development.

Advantages of this method

High flexibility

Quick adjustments possible
Early visible results

Limitations

Scope and effort develop dynamically
Lower predictability at the beginning

Which type of programming fits your project?

The choice depends on how concrete your requirements for the website extension are:

Clear requirements → Lastenheft & Pflichtenheft
Open or growing requirements → agile programming

In many cases a combination makes sense: structured start, followed by flexible further development.

Costs for custom programming

The effort for custom website extensions depends heavily on the scope of features, complexity, and integrations.

How costs for programming are basically composed, we explain on the page “Costs for Programming”.

Costs for Programming

Requirements for software or a website for long-term operation:

Functionality
The software does what it should. Technical updates are necessary and are installed from time to time.
User guidance and usability:
The user understands the processes and can apply them. Modernizations are needed from time to time and are implemented.
Understandability and depth of integration:
Both the customer and we as developers can still, years later, understand what we solved and why. We keep the project lean and understandable. Features that have become unnecessary over time are removed.

What we do to meet the requirements:

Actively and responsibly manage and document projects and customer communications
Set milestones and conduct interim approvals
Plan and execute processes with checklists
Document the project in the wiki
Use a version control system
Manage tasks in a ticketing system
Develop a test version in a development environment in parallel to the live operation