2001 - an agile odyssey

The roots of agile project management go back to 2001 when the Agile Manifesto was drafted by a group of developers who met up at a ski resort in Utah. For delivery professionals working in digital and tech, it’s worthwhile revisiting the fundamental principles laid out within it.

The introduction to the Agile Manifesto is:

We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value:

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

• Working software over comprehensive documentation

• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

• Responding to change over following a plan

That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.

The twelve principles behind the Agile Manifesto are:

• 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 behaviour accordingly.

As an experienced digital delivery professional, I have many years of experience in managing agile projects and I have also helped implement agile working processes into agencies. So why not get in touch to discuss how I can help your company or agency with this and more.