How should non-functional features be addressed by developers?

Addressing non-functional features by incorporating them into every increment is an essential practice in Scrum development. Non-functional features, which include aspects such as performance, usability, reliability, and security, are crucial for the overall quality and user experience of the product. By integrating these features consistently throughout the development process, teams ensure that the product remains viable and meets user expectations in all dimensions, not just the functional requirements.

This approach promotes a holistic view of product development, where improvements to non-functional aspects occur alongside functional features. It helps avoid the situation where these important characteristics are overlooked, which can lead to significant technical debt or user dissatisfaction if they are only considered at a later stage.

In contrast, ignoring non-functional features in favor of functional ones can result in a product that functions well but lacks the robustness, performance, or usability needed for success. Assigning non-functional features to specific Sprints might create uncertainty about when they will be addressed, potentially leading to gaps in quality if they are not prioritized continuously. Documenting non-functional features without implementing them fails to enhance the product, rendering the documentation somewhat pointless if those requirements are not reflected in the end result.