Agile in simple terms
The source material presents Agile as an umbrella term for iterative development approaches.
Common approaches discussed include:
- Scrum
- Extreme Programming (XP)
- Lean
- Kanban
Agile mindset
Key themes include:
- Welcome change
- Work in small value increments
- Use build-and-feedback loops
- Learn through discovery
- Focus on value
- Learn quickly from failure
- Deliver continuously
- Improve continuously
Agile vs. traditional delivery
A simplified comparison:
| Area | Traditional / predictive emphasis | Agile emphasis | |---|---|---| | Scope | More defined upfront | Evolves through learning | | Planning | Heavier upfront planning | Ongoing planning | | Delivery | Larger delivery | Smaller increments | | Feedback | Often later | Frequent | | Change | More controlled | Expected and incorporated |
This does not mean Agile has no planning or documentation. It means planning and documentation are adapted to support value delivery.
Agile Manifesto
The course material introduces the four Agile values:
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Responding to change over following a plan
The important nuance is that the items on the right still have value; the emphasis is on the items on the left.
Practical PM takeaway
Agile project management requires the PM/Agile leader to create an environment where teams can learn quickly, stakeholders can provide feedback, and priorities can change deliberately as new information appears.