Agile Manifesto: Core Values and Principles
INTRODUCTION
Most contemporary project management approaches are built on the Agile Manifesto. It contains 12 principles in addition to its four fundamental ideals. These concepts are used by project managers to create exceptional goods that are both valuable and high-quality while remaining within the project’s predetermined boundaries.
Agile techniques are being utilized by practically all corporate functions, not just software development teams. Numerous of the founding members of the Agile Alliance later went on to create additional well-known frameworks based on the Agile approach, including the Scrum methodology, Kanban methodology, Crystal, and Integrated Agile.
The agile technique, in contrast to previous project management methodologies, allows the project team total independence. T
The Agile technique was created for what purpose?
Both employees and clients were dissatisfied with the Waterfall project management methodology in the late 1990s. The products that were delivered fell far short of the client’s expectations. Project delays were frequent, and many were either abandoned or failed to meet the client’s expectations.
Teams were more focused on creating accurate documentation than on meeting client demands. Consider the software sector as an illustration. The constant shifting expectations of the clients were too much for traditional ways to handle. Software development’s adaptability was not being used to its full potential by developers.
There was general agreement that businesses are squandering their energy by concentrating on the wrong things. An innovative, contemporary approach was required to boost project teams’ productivity and performance. This methodology also needed to be able to quickly adapt to changing conditions.
4 values of the Agile Manifesto
1. People and relationships come before processes and tools
This Agile manifesto value places a strong emphasis on improving client communication. A client may have several inquiries, and the team members must see that all of the queries and suggestions of the client are swiftly addressed.
2. Utilizing a working product above thorough documentation
The correct documentation of every part of the project used to receive greater attention in the past. This was repeatedly done at the expense of the final outcome. The primary responsibility of the project team, according to the Agile values, is to complete the final deliverables as specified by the customers.
3. Choose customer input during contract negotiations
Customers must be involved in all project phases according to agile principles. Customers can only bargain before and after the project with the Waterfall technique or traditional approaches. Team members may ensure that the final product satisfies all client criteria if consumers are regularly informed throughout the development process.
4. Making adjustments to changes rather than adhering to a plan
Agile ideals reject using detailed plans before the project begins and insist on sticking to them no matter what, in contrast to earlier management techniques. Situations change, and occasionally consumers want additional features in the finished product, which could alter the project’s scope. Project managers and their teams must respond swiftly in these situations if they are to provide a high-quality product and guarantee complete client satisfaction.
12 Agile Manifesto Principles
1. Gaining customer satisfaction through reliable product supply.
Customers can only view the finished product in the case of conventional management approaches after numerous testing and quality inspections have been carried out. This not only keeps the clients in the dark but also makes it difficult for the team to make any product changes.
Continuously engaging the clients with a functional version of the product is crucial for maintaining their satisfaction.
2. Breaking up complex activities into manageable segments for faster completion and simpler change integration.
It would take a lot of time and effort to handle large and complicated work while managing project activities. The task should be divided into smaller, more manageable pieces for better results. If the clients were always informed, it would be easier for the team members to see any bottlenecks and address any delays.
3. Remain on schedule to deliver a functional product.
According to the Agile methodology, working software is typically delivered in a shorter amount of time. As a result of this iterative process, team members must consistently enhance their performance standards.
4. Frequent collaboration between all parties is necessary to make sure the project is moving in the right path.
The fact that traditional project management approaches frequently result in project stakeholders being unaware of its development stages is a significant issue. All stakeholders are encouraged to stay involved throughout the project’s lifecycle according to the agile principles to ensure continuous input and a useful final product.
5. Foster a positive environment that will inspire team members to work hard and accomplish their goals.
The team leader must create a welcoming and motivating environment where team members are free to share their thoughts and offer suggestions to boost the group’s output. The team’s performance would significantly improve if the members were given confidence and motivation, which would ultimately be advantageous for the project.
6. Choose in-person communication over other channels.
Effective communication between the parties involved is stressed heavily in the Agile manifesto. Memos and emails are not recommended for successful communication, and face-to-face interactions are given more weight.
Thanks to improvements in communication technologies, this is now simpler. Instead of having a quick meeting in the office, all stakeholders can now meet via video conferencing.
7. Software that works properly is the primary measure of development.
Delivering a functional product that satisfies the consumer is the sole factor that can determine success. Before Agile, there were numerous success metrics, which decreased the quality of the finished product.
8. Make an effort to keep the development pace steady.
The project should be developed sustainably at a steady rate according to a repeatable and iterative pattern. This keeps the crew from being overworked and stressed out while the project continues to advance at a reasonable pace.
9. Maintain the product’s quality by paying close attention to the technical aspects.
Any Agile team’s main goal is to deliver value to the customer. A multi-skilled team that can manage all the technical components of the project and offers the chance for continual improvement is crucial.
10. Keep things simple.
All team members should keep their primary attention on the work at hand during each time box. Avoid overplanning and enhancing the product’s features while they are being developed.
11. Encourage the team to work independently.
Simply said, a self-organized team with decision-making authority would perform better since each team member would be responsible for meeting client expectations rather than a single project manager.
12. Consistently evaluate your performance to get better.
Agile techniques are built on the idea of iteration, where teams continuously improve their performance by learning from their past errors. Project managers ought to encourage team meetings where everyone evaluates their work and talks about how to develop their management and technical skills.
Conclusion
The 4 basic values serve as the foundation for the 12 principles of the agile manifesto. They offer the guiding principles that agile practitioners and project managers must adhere to accomplish organizational goals.
Several firms have adopted the agile technique, which also incorporates Scrum, regardless of the industry. Aspiring project managers and agile practitioners can benefit greatly from learning about the agile manifesto and embracing the agile mentality. There are no prescribed guidelines, hierarchies, or structures that must be followed. You are in good shape as long as you follow the Agile values and principles given on universal agile.
