Agile, or agility, has been at the heart of software development and project management for more than two decades. Its principles of delivering value to customers, integration and continuous improvement have helped teams adapt to changing circumstances and improve productivity. However, in recent years there have been claims that “Agile is dead” or that its relevance has declined. But is this really true? In this article, we look at the fundamentals of Agile and consider why they remain vibrant, even though the term “Agile” may be experiencing inflation.
Text by Sari Hilden
Creating value
The core principle of Agile is delivering value to customers. This means that teams must focus on delivering value that meets customer needs and expectations. The Agile development model encourages teams to work closely with customers and take their feedback into account at every stage of development. This customer focus is one of the reasons why Agile is still relevant.
While the term Agile may be misused or its meaning may vary, the principle of value creation remains. Organisations that are able to deliver value to their customers are more likely to succeed than those that are not. This means that while Agile may be seen as outdated, its basic principles remain valid.
Working together
Another key principle in an agile world is to work together. Agile methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban emphasise the importance of teamwork. It is important for teams to work together, share knowledge and support each other. This creates an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish.
Working together is not limited to collaboration within teams, but also extends to stakeholders and customers. The agile development model encourages open communication and collaboration, which can lead to better decisions and results. While Agile practices may vary, the importance of collaboration and communication is current and a necessary part of successful project management.
Continuous improvement
The third key principle of agile thinking is continuous improvement. Agile teams are never completely satisfied with the status quo; they are always looking for ways to improve their processes and practices. This may mean introducing new tools, optimising processes or improving communication within teams.
Continuous improvement is an important part of agility because it allows teams to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances. While Agile practices may change or evolve over time, the idea of continuous improvement is relevant and remains relevant. Organisations that embrace this principle can remain competitive and continuously improve.
Inflation of agility
While the basic principles of agility are still valid, the use of the term Agile may have experienced inflation. Many organisations have adopted agile practices but do not necessarily understand the underlying values and principles. This can lead to Agile being seen as just a methodology, with no understanding of its deeper meaning.
However, this inflation does not mean that agility is dead. Instead, it can be a sign that organisations need to get back to the roots of agility – creating value, working together and continuous improvement. It is important for teams and organisations to understand what Agile really means and to embrace its core values in practice.
Building an agile culture
To maintain the vitality of agility, it is important to build and nurture an agile culture in the organisation. This means that leaders must support agile practices and values, and teams must be given the opportunity to experiment with new approaches. An agile culture encourages people to take risks, learn from their mistakes and share knowledge.
Building an agile culture takes time and effort, but it is essential to ensure the long-term success of your business. Organisations that succeed in creating and developing an agile culture can reap the long-term benefits of agility.
The evolution of agility
While the use of the term Agile may be experiencing inflation, its fundamental principles – creating value, working together and continuous improvement – are still valid and vibrant. At the heart of agile is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and deliver value to customers. Organisations should go back to the roots of agility and understand its deeper meanings in order to make the most of its benefits.
The future of agility is not dead; it is only evolving. Agile practices and principles are still important, and adopting them can help organisations thrive in a dynamic and rapidly changing business environment.
