What is Agile?

Agile in the Oxford dictionary is defined as “able to move quickly and easily” and the same applies to the Projects world as organisations look for feedback on projects sooner. In the IT world the term Agile is an umbrella term used to describe a number of general approaches to software development. These include Extreme Programming, Scrum, Adaptive Software Development, Feature Driven Development, Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM), Kanban and Scrumban. All these Agile processes emphasise:

. Close teamwork between self-organising, multi-discipline, cross-functional teams . Close customer collaboration . Frequent deliveries of working software through an iterative approach , one unit at a time . Ability to respond quickly to change

Right now the Scrum Framework by far the most implemented Agile framework in the world.

What is the Agile Manifesto?

In February 2001, 17 software developers met at the Snowbird resort in Utah to discuss lightweight development methods. They published the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, in which they described 4 values and 12 supporting principles.

. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

. Working software over comprehensive documentation

. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

. Responding to change over following a plan

Twelve supporting principles.

1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software. 2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer's competitive advantage. 3. Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale. 4. Business people and developers must work  together daily throughout the project. 5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done. 6. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation. 7. Working software is the primary measure of progress. 8. Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely. 9. Continuous attention to technical excellence  and good design enhances agility. 10. Simplicity the art of maximising the amount  of work not done--is essential. 11.The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organising teams. 12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.