Agile is a set of values and principles first articulated in the 2001 Agile Manifesto. It is not a specific process; it is a philosophy that prioritizes adaptability, collaboration, and working results over rigid plan adherence.
- Agile is a philosophy, not a framework — Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe apply Agile principles
- The four Agile values are about trade-offs, not absolutes
- Agile does not mean no documentation or no planning
- Most organizations practicing Agile use a hybrid approach
The Agile Manifesto
Four core values: individuals and interactions over processes and tools; working software over comprehensive documentation; customer collaboration over contract negotiation; responding to change over following a plan. These are trade-offs, not absolutes.
The 12 Agile principles
Deliver working software frequently, welcome changing requirements, build around motivated individuals, prefer face-to-face communication, measure progress by working software, and reflect and adjust regularly.
Agile frameworks: Scrum, Kanban, SAFe
Scrum organizes work into time-boxed sprints with defined roles and events. Kanban visualizes flow and limits WIP. SAFe scales Agile across large enterprises. Each applies Agile principles differently.
Agile vs traditional PM
Traditional PM defines full scope upfront and plans delivery in detail. Agile defines direction upfront and plans iteratively. The right approach depends on how well requirements are understood.
Agile in practice
Most organizations use a hybrid model: Agile delivery within a waterfall governance framework. Sprints deliver working increments, but charters, budgets, and phase gates still exist.
Frequently asked questions
Seventeen software practitioners published it in 2001 in Snowbird, Utah.
Originally yes, but Agile principles are now applied in marketing, HR, operations, and product development.
That it means no planning or documentation. Agile is adaptive planning and right-sized documentation, not chaos.
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