Software Development

What is Agile?

Quick answer

An iterative approach to software development that delivers work in small increments and adapts to feedback instead of following a fixed upfront plan.

Agile, explained

Agile grew out of the Agile Manifesto, published in 2001 by a group of software practitioners who wanted a lighter alternative to heavyweight, document-driven processes. It values working software, collaboration with customers, and responding to change.

In practice, Agile teams plan short cycles, build a usable slice of the product, review it with stakeholders, and refine priorities for the next cycle. Popular frameworks that apply Agile principles include Scrum and Kanban. Agile is not a single method but a mindset, and organizations adopt it with varying success. Common pitfalls include treating ceremonies as rituals without real feedback loops, or using Agile vocabulary while still working in rigid, long release cycles.

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