Product management glosary

Agile Manifesto

What is Agile Manifesto?

Introduction

Agile Manifesto is a set of guiding values and principles for software development that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. It was created in 2001 by a group of software developers who were frustrated with the traditional, rigid approach to software development.

The Values of Agile Manifesto

The Agile Manifesto is based on 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 values prioritize people and their interactions, working software, customer satisfaction, and flexibility over rigid processes and documentation.

The Principles of Agile Manifesto

The Agile Manifesto is also based on twelve principles that guide software development teams to work in an agile way. These principles include:
  • Customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software
  • Welcoming changing requirements, even in late development
  • Delivering working software frequently, with a preference for shorter timescales
  • Collaboration between business people and developers throughout the project
  • Supporting and trusting motivated individuals to get the job done
  • Face-to-face communication as the most efficient and effective method of conveying information
  • Working software as the primary measure of progress
  • Sustainable development, where the pace is maintained indefinitely
  • Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
  • Simplicity, the art of maximizing the amount of work not done, is essential
  • Self-organizing teams that can adapt to changing circumstances
  • Regular reflection and adaptation to improve the process

Benefits of Agile Manifesto

The Agile Manifesto provides a framework for software development teams to work in a more flexible, collaborative, and customer-focused way. This approach can lead to several benefits, including:
  • Increased customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software
  • Improved flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements
  • Reduced waste and increased efficiency through a focus on working software and simplicity
  • Improved communication and collaboration between business people and developers
  • Increased motivation and empowerment of team members
  • Continuous improvement through regular reflection and adaptation

Conclusion

The Agile Manifesto is a set of guiding values and principles for software development that prioritize flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. By following these principles, software development teams can work in a more efficient, effective, and customer-focused way, leading to improved outcomes and increased satisfaction for all stakeholders.