What Is The Agile Manifesto?

The Agile Manifesto is the foundation that revolutionized the Software Development world. The Agile Approach was created in a ski lodge in February 2001 by a group of 17 prominent software developers. Agile is the modern and efficient way of building software, which is quite different from the traditional way of building software, which involves gathering all the data from clients and then building and releasing the software in one go. It consists of the 4 core values and 12 principles that Prioritize collaboration, flexibility, and responsiveness in software development. 

The 4 Agile Values
The Four Values of the Agile Manifesto promote innovation, efficiency, and continuous learning. We use these values to make excellent software by building trust, working together, being open, and collaborating closely with customers. The four core values of agile software development as stated in the Agile Manifesto are as follows: 

1.Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
In the Agile Manifesto, the most valuable resource is its people. The success and failure of the project depend on the most important human resource. Agile does not combat formalized tools and processes. Both can help your team get organized and interact more effectively. As a traditional method, a lot of Software teams rely more on the best possible tools and processes to build their software. The Agile Manifesto suggested that while those things are important, the people behind the processes are even more so. 
 

2.Working software over comprehensive documentation
Unlike Traditional approaches the second Value of the Agile Manifesto does not emphasize detailed Documentation rather it prioritizes the working Software. Comprehensive Documentation is good, but working software is more important. This makes the team gather user feedback timely and make adjustments effectively, featuring the importance of visible results over extensive paperwork. 
 

3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Agile third value needs customers to be involved in all phases of the project. Not like the past methodologies which allowed the customers to negotiate with the software development team before and after the project. Which ultimately results in the wastage of resources and time. This methodology focuses on building strong relationships and understanding user needs over the written contractual agreements. By taking the customer in a loop in every phase of the development and taking continuous feedback Agile team can better align their work with customer expectations and deliver a solution that accurately meets their expectation.
 

4. Responding to change over following a plan
The Final Agile Manifesto values emphasize the importance of flexibility and compliance against changing requirements and other circumstances throughout the whole software development process. Agile encourages the team to consider responsiveness rather than show resistance to change as per preplanned plans or processes. This will help the team to be successful deliver a quality product and ensure 100 % customer satisfaction. 
 

The 12 Principles of Agile
Embedded within the Agile Manifesto are twelve guiding principles that underpin the philosophy and methodology of Agile software development 
 

1. Customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software
Agile Manifesto is pretty simple: it's all about making sure customers get useful software as quickly as possible and keeping them happy along the way. Instead of waiting until the end to hand over a big, finished product, agile teams deliver smaller pieces of software regularly. This way, customers can try it out, and give feedback, and the team can make changes as needed. It's like getting a sneak peek of a movie and having a chance to tell the filmmakers what you think before it's all done. This back-and-forth helps ensure that the final product meets the customers' needs and makes them happy. 
 

2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development
Agile manifesto is all about being flexible. It's like saying, "Hey, if things need to change along the way, that's okay!" Agile teams understand that as a project progresses, new ideas might come up or priorities might shift. Instead of sticking rigidly to a plan, they're open to making adjustments, even if it's later in the game. This approach helps teams stay responsive to what the customer needs, even if those needs evolve. It's like rearranging your plans when unexpected guests show up for dinner – you roll with it to make sure everyone has a good time!

3. Deliver working software frequently, with a preference for shorter timescales
Agile is basically about getting stuff done and doing it often. Imagine you're baking cookies. Instead of waiting hours to taste just one big batch, agile teams bake smaller batches more frequently. This means they're able to deliver usable pieces of software more regularly, like getting to enjoy warm, fresh cookies more often! By working in shorter timeframes, teams can catch problems early, get feedback sooner, and make adjustments along the way. It's like taking small, tasty bites of progress instead of waiting for one big cookie to finish baking.

4. Teamwork and Daily Collaboration
The fourth principle of the Agile Manifesto is all about teamwork and communication It says, "Collaboration between business people and developers throughout the project." Imagine you're building a treehouse with your friends. You'd talk to each other about what the treehouse should look like, who will bring the materials, and who will do what. Similarly, in Agile, business folks (who know what the customers want) and developers (who build the software) work together closely from start to finish. This teamwork helps make sure the software being built meets the needs of the customers and the goals of the business. It's like building that awesome treehouse together, with everyone pitching in and sharing ideas to make it great!

5. Empower Motivated Individual
The fifth principle of the Agile Manifesto is all about supporting the people doing the work. It says, Build projects around motivated individuals, giving them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done." Picture a soccer team. Each player is motivated to win, right? In Agile, it's the same idea. Teams are made up of motivated people who are trusted to do their best work. They're given the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. Just like a soccer coach trusts their players to score goals, Agile trusts their teams to deliver great results. It's about creating an environment where people feel empowered and inspired to do their best work together.

6. Good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation
The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation." Think about it like chatting with a friend. When you talk face-to-face, you can see their expressions, hear their tone, and understand what they're saying. In Agile, teams value direct communication because it's the quickest and clearest way to share ideas, solve problems, and make decisions. It's like having a conversation over coffee instead of trying to figure things out through emails or messages. Face-to-face talk helps teams work better together and get things done faster.

7. Measure Progress with Working Software
The seventh principle of the Agile Manifesto is straightforward: "Working software is the primary measure of progress imagine  you're baking a cake. The real sign of progress isn't the recipe or the shopping list – it's the cake coming together in the oven. Similarly, in Agile, what counts is having usable software that works. Instead of just talking about plans or writing documents, Agile teams focus on delivering software that does what it's supposed to do. It's like seeing the cake rise in the oven – that's when you know you're progressing and getting closer to the delicious result.

8. Promote Sustainable Development
The eighth agile principle is about finding a balance. It suggests that teams should work at a pace that's sustainable for everyone involved – not too fast, not too slow. It's like driving a car: you want to go at a speed that you can maintain safely for the whole journey, rather than racing and burning out. Similarly, in Agile, keeping a steady pace ensures that the team can keep making progress without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. It's all about finding the right speed for the long haul!

9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
The ninth principle of Agile is about maintaining quality. It says, "Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility." Imagine building a house. You want to use sturdy materials and make sure everything is well-designed so that the house lasts a long time and looks great. In Agile, it's similar – teams focus on doing things right from the start. They pay attention to technical details and design, making sure the software they create is top-notch. This continuous pursuit of excellence makes the software easier to work with, adapt, and improve over time. It's like laying a solid foundation for your house – when you start with quality, everything else falls into place smoothly.
 

10. Simplicity is the Key
The tenth principle of Agile is all about simplicity. It says,  Simplicity--the art of maximizing the amount of work not done--is essential." Think about it like packing for a trip. You only bring the things you need, right? Similarly, in Agile, teams focus on doing the most important work and avoiding unnecessary stuff. Instead of making things overly complicated, they keep things simple and streamlined. This way, they can work more efficiently and deliver value faster. It's like traveling light – less baggage means you can move around more easily and enjoy the journey!
 

11. Self-Organizing Team
The eleventh principle of Agile is all about teamwork and trust. It says, The best solutions come from self-organizing teams." Think about playing on a sports team. Each player knows their position and works together with others to win the game, right? Similarly, in Agile, teams organize themselves and make decisions together. They don't need someone telling them what to do at every step. This trust and collaboration help them come up with the best ideas and solutions. It's like a well-oiled machine – when everyone knows their role and works together smoothly, they can achieve great things!
 

12. Reflect and Adjust
The twelfth principle of Agile is all about reflection and improvement. It says, "At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective and adjusts accordingly." Think about driving a car. You check your rearview mirror to see what's behind you, right? Similarly, in Agile, teams look back on their work regularly to see what went well and what could be better. They talk about how they can work smarter or solve problems more effectively. This reflection helps them improve over time and become even better at what they do. It's like fine-tuning your car to run smoother – by looking back and making adjustments, you can keep moving forward more efficiently.