On February 11-13, 2001, a group of 17 software developers got together to discuss how they could work more efficiently and sustainably. They wanted an alternative to existing software development processes which they found difficult, inflexible, and too focused on documentation. This meeting led to the creation of the Agile Manifesto – a document that sets out the key values and principles behind the Agile philosophy. The Agile Manifesto has been hugely influential in helping development teams around the world work in a more agile way and has spawned a number of different Agile frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban.
Let’s take a closer look at the Agile Manifesto and what it means for development teams.
The Agile Manifesto is made up of four key values:
Agile is a four-fold value system that defines individual and interrelated processes. Develop software with extensive documentation. Customers work together through contracts and negotiations. These four values guide every team member in their day-to-day work and inform every decision made about the product or project. The four key values are:
1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
This value emphasizes the importance of people working together effectively, rather than relying on processes and tools to do the work for them. Agile teams need to be able to communicate and collaborate well in order to succeed.
2. Working software over comprehensive documentation
This value puts the emphasis on delivering software that is actually usable, rather than spending time creating extensive documentation that may never be used. Agile teams should always aim to deliver working software as early and as often as possible.
3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
This value emphasizes the importance of involving customers in the development process, rather than trying to agree on everything upfront in a contract. Agile teams need to be able to adapt to changing customer requirements as the project progresses.
4. Responding to change over following a plan
This value recognizes that in the real world, plans will always change and that Agile teams need to be able to adapt to these changes quickly. Agile teams should aim to be flexible and responsive, rather than sticking rigidly to a plan that may no longer be relevant.
These values underpin the Agile philosophy and help development teams work more efficiently and effectively. Agile teams focus on delivering working software regularly, collaborating closely with customers, and being open to change. This means that they can respond quickly to changes in requirements or feedback from users, and deliver value to their customers more rapidly.
Twelve Principles of Agile
Agile Manifesto lists 12 basic principles for agile project management. In its own words, it says that customer satisfaction has been the top priority in providing high-quality software early in the development cycle. We would like to welcome the change. Agile systems utilize change to enhance customers’ competitive advantage. Provide software frequently between weeks and months – preferred shorter duration. Businesses must collaborate on projects daily. Build projects based on people who have motivations.
The Agile Manifesto also sets out 12 principles that help teams put the Agile values into practice. These principles include:
- Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
- Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage.
- Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.
- Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.
- Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.
- The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.
- Working software is the primary measure of progress.
- Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
- Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
- Simplicity–the art of maximizing the amount of work not done–is essential.
- The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
- At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.
By following the values and principles set out in the Agile Manifesto, development teams can work more efficiently and effectively to deliver value to their customers.