The Core Values and Principles of the Agile Manifesto [Free Download]

In 2001, the Agile Manifesto revolutionized the software industry. It didn't introduce new code, architecture, or concepts. Instead, it introduced a new way of doing things: a way of failing fast, quickly responding to changes, and involving the customer from day 1. 

This way is the Agile method. 

Before Agile, the Waterfall method was the way of the land. Waterfall is a project management approach that divides each phase linearly and sequentially.

The problem with Waterfall is that any changes must go back up the waterfall for review and acceptance. This kickback process would lead to slow delivery times. For this reason, and others, 87% of businesses have adopted Agile as a viable solution instead. 

We included a PDF covering the Agile Manifesto and its principles at the end of this article. But first, let's talk about the basics. 

4 Core Values of the Agile Manifesto

When the Agile Manifesto was written in Snowbird, Utah, it started with Four Core Values. As you read these, keep one thing in mind: each of these says "X over Y," not "X instead of Y." This is a common misreading. The values simply emphasize prioritizing the thing on the left over the thing on the right. Let's go over each of them with a brief explanation.

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools: This highlights the importance of teamwork and communication over strict rules. The focus is on human connections that drive creativity and problem-solving.

2. Working software over comprehensive documentation: Agile prioritizes delivering functional software that meets user needs rather than extensive documentation. While documentation is valuable, the primary measure of progress is working software. Software can take a long time to create, and during that time, vast changes can occur in the market landscape. This requires agile (no pun intended) changes to the in-flight solution. Documentation can quickly become outdated, so it's better to focus on keeping the software running and getting continuous feedback from users and stakeholders.

3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation: Instead of sticking to pre-negotiated contracts, Agile promotes continuous engagement with customers. This engagement allows for feedback and adjustments throughout the development process. It is easier to just talk directly to the stakeholders and determine the best path forward. After all, paperwork and bureaucracy have a penchant for delaying projects.

4. Responding to change over following a plan: Agile embraces flexibility and adaptability. Agile teams don't strictly follow a plan. They adjust based on changing circumstances and customer feedback to deliver better results.

The 12 Principles of Agile Software

The 12 Principles provide detailed guidelines for developing software. Each one supports a flexible, customer-centric vision. Its raison d'être is fostering adaptability, flexibility, and alacrity in the development process. 

The principles are not strictures; instead, they're guidelines for developing better software. You can find the complete list on the Agile Manifesto website, but I'd like to highlight the most important ones: 

1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software. This is the first principle for a reason. It highlights the need to present products to the customer without delay. This lets them test ideas, provide feedback, and make necessary changes. Recall the waterfall methodology. In that plan, the customer only saw the product at the very end of development. So if they didn't like a feature, there wasn't much they could do. Agile's purpose is to reduce the amount of churn in the software development process.

2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer's competitive advantage. This principle hones in on one of Agile's key strengths: adaptability. It's paramount that the product remains current and competitive while in development. For example, let's say a product has been in development for three years. But in the last six months, ChatGPT and generative AI have come on the scene. Agile provides opportunities to get user feedback, and incorporate it into the product.  In previous methodologies, this would be far more difficult to incorporate. It would have to be kicked back up into the Requirements and Design phase. 

3. Working software is the primary measure of progress. No matter how amazing an application may be, it's useless if no one is using it. This principle ensures software developers are creating business value. A core tenet of Agile is avoiding development limbo. Creating a minimal viable product (MVP) helps mitigate this. An MVP, which is a bare-bones version of an application, can be immediately used by the end user. 

Tips for Implementing Agile Successfully

Implementing Agile effectively can take some practice and can look different from team to team. Some people will emphasize certain principles over others, and that's fine. With that said, here are a few tips to help any team implement Agile successfully. 

Start Small

The best advice for Agile is to start small. Focus on creating a product that delivers immediate value. For example, if you're building an e-commerce website with ten features, start with the quickest one and launch it. Then, continue to improve the product while it's already providing value. This may seem like delivering an "incomplete product," but it's actually an MVP that can earn revenue and get feedback right away. Customer input is crucial for shaping future improvements by highlighting what works and what doesn't.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

A key advantage of Agile is the ability to "fail fast," meaning you get immediate feedback on what doesn’t work. Developers can test new ideas, and customers can quickly confirm if it matches their vision. This allows for quick adjustments, unlike waiting until the end when changes are harder to make.

Regular meetings also support improvement. Every two weeks, the team holds a "retro," where they reflect on what went well and what could be improved. This discussion is a core part of Agile’s focus on adaptability.

Use Proven Agile Techniques

As you can imagine, Agile is no big secret. Plenty of people have done it, and there are plenty of tools at your disposal—techniques such as Scrum and Kanban, which are two of the most common ones. Let's review each technique and explore how each works. 

Scrum

In Scrum, teams break work into two to four week iterations called sprints as part of the Agile method. Scrum has designated meetings called ceremonies:

• Sprint Planning: For sprint planning, the developers and the product owner meet to discuss objectives.

• Daily Stand-Up: Short, daily meetings where the team discusses progress and challenges.

• Sprint Review: This meeting is a demonstration of the work completed during the sprint for stakeholders. It is an opportunity to get feedback on what is working or not.

• Sprint Retro: A reflection on the sprint to identify improvements for future work.

Scrum aims to create value by delivering a working product increment at the end of each sprint. (In other words, an MVP.) This method allows for regular feedback and continuous improvement.

Kanban

Kanban is a visual project management method that uses a board with columns representing stages of work. The columns are general "To Do," "QA Review," "In Progress," etc. The columns themselves are flexible, and there is no fixed sprint like in Scrum. 

Kanban also enforces WIP (Work-In-Progress) limits. This ensures work is completed without clogging any one column. Kanban works well in dynamic environments with changing task priorities.

JIRA

JIRA is a software application used for Agile. It provides a visual representation of work for both Scrum and Kanban. It also allows developers to add points to stories. "Stories" represent a complete piece of work a developer works on. The "points" applied represent how much work the team thinks it will take to complete. JIRA is a critical tool for anyone wanting to jump into the world of Agile.

Final Thoughts

Agile methods, like Scrum, Kanban, and JIRA, empower teams to deliver value. By breaking work into small pieces, teams can iterate, gather feedback, and improve continuously and quickly. This approach reduces risks, boosts flexibility, and aligns products with customer needs from the start. Agile promotes adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Remember that the Agile Principles are not hard-and-fast rules. They are guidelines for making work less stressful and more predictable. By using these guidelines, your team will be ready for any project.

Ready to improve your Agile skills? Simona Millham's new Agile Project Management course is perfect for project managers, team leads, Scrum Masters, developers, and business stakeholders who want to deliver better results. And yes, we've got a free study plan so you can stay on track from start to finish!