Agile is a project management and product development methodology that prioritizes flexibility, collaboration, and iterative progress. It was initially developed for software development but has since been applied to other fields as well.
The core principles of Agile are outlined in the Agile Manifesto, which emphasizes:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
- Working solutions over comprehensive documentation.
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.
- Responding to change over following a plan.
In Agile, projects are broken down into smaller tasks, and teams work on these tasks in short iterations called “sprints,” usually lasting between one and four weeks. After each sprint, the team reviews their progress, evaluates feedback, and adjusts their plans as needed. This iterative approach allows teams to adapt to changing requirements, deliver value to customers quickly, and continuously improve their processes.
Some popular Agile frameworks include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP), each with its own set of practices and tools to support Agile principles.