What is Agile?

What is Agile?

Agile describes a way of working, that was originally defined by the Manifesto for Agile Software Development.

Modern software development frameworks encompass the values and principles of this customer-centric, value-driven approach to deliver better, more valuable solutions, ever more efficiently than older ways of working that dominated in the last century.

The vision and wisdom of the initial thought leaders is spreading rapidly beyond the confines of IT as other areas within organisations come to value:

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
• Working solutions over comprehensive documentation
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
• Responding to change over following a plan

While recognising the value and necessity of the items on the right, agile organisations are increasingly valuing the items on the left, focusing the collaborative power of their people on the day-to-day operation of their businesses.

Agile Myths

The term ‘agile’ is often misunderstood and consequently there are many interpretations of what it is. Although agile has its roots in software delivery, it has now grown well beyond this to be much more and in an organisational context is referred to as business agility. It is more than a set of methods, practices and behaviours. Business agility is about delivering value for an organisation, however that value might be defined.

An agile business can respond quickly and effectively to opportunities and threats found in its internal and external environments (be they commercial, legal, technological, social, moral or political).