Introduction to the Agile Manifesto
Welcome to Day 3 of the 10 Days to Learn Agile series! By now, you know what Agile is and how the Agile Mindset works. Today, we’re diving into the Agile Manifesto, the foundation of everything Agile.
Don’t worry—it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Think of the Agile Manifesto as a simple rulebook for building things better, faster, and with less stress. And we’ll make it fun!
What is the Agile Manifesto?
Back in 2001, a group of developers met in a ski lodge (cool, right?) to figure out how to make software development less painful and more effective. They came up with the Agile Manifesto, a set of 4 values and 12 principles that guide Agile teams.
It’s like the LEGO instruction manual for teamwork: simple but powerful.
The 4 Agile Values Explained with Everyday Examples
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
- Agile says: Focus on people, not just rules or fancy software.
- Example: You’re building a LEGO spaceship. What matters more—having a perfect design app or talking to your team to make sure everyone’s on the same page?
- Working software over comprehensive documentation
- Agile says: Deliver results that work, not just a plan that looks good on paper.
- Example: Show off your half-built LEGO castle—it’s better than a 10-page plan for a castle that doesn’t exist yet.
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
- Agile says: Work with your customer to make sure they’re happy, even if the plan changes.
- Example: Your little brother wanted a LEGO car but now wants a boat. Instead of saying, “Too late!” you work with him to adjust.
- Responding to change over following a plan
- Agile says: Plans are great, but flexibility wins.
- Example: Your LEGO tower falls. Instead of crying, you turn it into a cool castle.
The 12 Agile Principles Made Simple
The Agile Manifesto also includes 12 principles. Don’t worry, we’ll simplify them:
- Customer satisfaction is #1: Keep them happy by delivering what they want.
- Welcome change: Adjust plans if it improves the outcome.
- Deliver frequently: Share progress often—small wins build trust.
- Work together: Developers, designers, and customers should team up.
- Trust your team: Give them the support they need to succeed.
- Communicate in person: Talking beats emailing every time.
- Measure progress by results: Working products > unfinished plans.
- Sustainable work pace: No all-nighters—slow and steady wins the race.
- Continuous improvement: Always look for ways to do better.
- Keep it simple: Don’t overcomplicate things.
- Self-organizing teams: Let teams decide how to work best.
- Reflect and adjust: Learn from mistakes and get better each time.
Why the Agile Manifesto Matters
The Agile Manifesto is more than a set of rules—it’s a mindset shift that helps teams:
- Deliver faster results: Small, consistent progress keeps momentum.
- Build better products: Frequent feedback ensures you’re on the right track.
- Stay motivated: Collaboration and trust make work more enjoyable.
Whether you’re working on software, marketing, or a personal project, these values and principles are the key to success.
What’s Next? Agile Frameworks
Now that you know the basics of the Agile Manifesto, it’s time to explore how to apply it. Tomorrow, we’ll dive into Scrum vs. Kanban—two popular Agile frameworks—and figure out which one might work best for you.
Your Turn: Reflect on the Values
Which of the 4 Agile values resonates with you the most? Have you ever adjusted a plan last minute and ended up with a better result? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your perspective!