Manifesto for Agile Software Development (2023)

Manifesto for Agile Software Development

We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work, we have come to value:

  1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
  2. Working software over comprehensive documentation
  3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
  4. Responding to change over following a plan

That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.

As we continue to explore and uncover new ways of developing software, we remain committed to these values and to the principles behind them.

Principles behind the Agile Manifesto

We follow these principles:

  1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
  2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer's competitive advantage.
  3. Deliver working software frequently, with a preference for the shorter timescale.
  4. Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.
  5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.
  6. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.
  7. Working software is the primary measure of progress.
  8. Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
  9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
  10. Simplicity--the art of maximizing the amount of work not done--is essential.
  11. The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
  12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.

We believe that these principles, when followed, enable teams to deliver high-quality software that meets the needs of their customers in a timely and efficient manner.

What about the original Agile Manifesto?

The original Agile Manifesto was created in 2001 and reflects the state of software development practices and the technology landscape at that time. Since then, there have been significant changes in the software industry and the way software is developed, and these changes can make the old Agile Manifesto outdated in some respects. Here are some reasons why the old Agile Manifesto might be considered outdated:

  1. New technologies: The original Agile Manifesto was created before the rise of many of the technologies and tools that are now commonly used in software development, such as cloud computing, DevOps, and machine learning. These new technologies can change the way software is developed and require new approaches and practices.
  2. New development methodologies: Since the creation of the original Agile Manifesto, new development methodologies and frameworks have emerged, such as Lean Startup, Design Thinking, and DevOps, which can complement or even replace some of the practices and principles of Agile.
  3. Global and remote teams: The old Agile Manifesto was created before the widespread adoption of remote work and the globalization of software development teams. These changes can require new practices and tools to enable effective communication, collaboration, and project management across time zones and cultures.
  4. Emerging trends: The software industry is constantly evolving, and new trends and practices are emerging, such as Agile Marketing, Continuous Delivery, and Lean UX. These trends can require new approaches to software development that the old Agile Manifesto may not fully address.

While the old Agile Manifesto (https://agilemanifesto.org/) remains a valuable guide for Agile software development, it may not fully address the challenges and opportunities of today's software industry. Therefore, it is important to continuously reassess and update the Agile Manifesto and Agile methodologies to ensure they remain relevant and effective in the changing software landscape.