The 12 Agile Principles: Definitions & How To Use Them

The 12 Agile Principles: Definitions & How To Use Them

Agile is a project management methodology that allows development teams to set up a dynamic work management framework. It is based on 12 guiding principles, known as agile principles, and core values, techniques, ceremonies and tools that make up the agile project management approach. The four agile core values are individuals and interactions over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contract negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan. These values are used to support organizing teams in agile projects, those that embrace change and speed. To do this, managers need agile tools such as kanban boards and product roadmaps.

The 12 Agile Principles are statements that define the agile methodology and act as best practices for agile teams. They include satisfaction the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software, welcome changing requirements, even late in development, implement it, and stay nimble and on your feet so you can pivot without having to constantly reinvent the wheel.
Agile project management involves delivering working software frequently and cutting out documentation. To achieve this, it is important to reach an agreement with team and stakeholders to come up with an agile release planning that satisfies both parties. Business people and developers must work together to build a bridge between the stakeholders and facilitate an exchange of ideas. To promote face-to-face conversations, teams should work in the same physical space or have distributed teams, and keep schedules to the same hours. Finally, don't micromanage, as it takes away from what you should be focusing on and sends talent packing.

The most important details in this text are that working software is the primary measure of progress, that agile processes promote sustainable development, that short sprints of activity help to keep teams motivated, and that it is important to get the right team for the job, one that will work hard but not overextend themselves. Additionally, continuous attention to technical excellence and good design helps to ensure that the software is improving after each iteration. The most important details in this text are the importance of fixing problems now and using scrum, an agile framework for completing complex projects, to help review and keep the project evolving. Simplicity is essential for moving quickly through a project, and agile tools can help streamline the process. Self-organizing teams have the autonomy to act independently, allowing them to adapt to change quicker and act without second-guessing. They also have regular intervals to stop, reflect and tweak the way they do things throughout the course of the project to ensure they don't act by rote or blindly follow protocol.