There are 12 principles given in the Agile Manifesto that one should abide by. As the name says, it helps us be able to make our processes faster and agile. It is essential for CSM training since it includes products and other related functions. But these golden rules have often been misunderstood. So here’s what each one of them means:
Principle 1:The highest priority always involves satisfying the customer by making use of continuous and early delivery of valuable software.
What we hear: Having widespread product releases to show off to the customer that the company is agile. If the customer isn’t interested, then the product is redone.
What it means: Agile means that one can focus very quickly on the continuous usage and delivery of beneficial software to the customers so that their time in the market is accelerated.
Principle 2:Allowing for changing requirements, even if they are very late in the process of development. The change is done to gain a competitive advantage.
What we hear: Agile needs to be able to accommodate everyday changes even in times of mad rush.
What it means: When the software is being developed, the Agile ensures that there is enough flexibility to modify or add features and functionalities even if they are later on in the timeline.
Principle 3:To ensure that the software is updated frequently. This can range from weeks to months, but a shorter period is always preferred.
What we hear: To release the software as soon as it’s possible to do so.
What it means: One has to figure out and then set up a time scale for its delivery after finding out what type of software is being developed and what are its applications. While short-time spans are always preferable, but that mustn’t be a grueling focus.
Principle 4:Developers and business people have to work together daily for a project.
What we hear: It’s enough to talk about the entire thing once every day in a formal call. But even this can depend on need.
What it means: Both the business and developmental teams should have open communication channels between them. This will help the infrequent and better exchange of information. It’s also better to talk when the need arises rather than setting a formal process for such interactions.
Principle 5:Projects must be built around motivated people. These people must be given the support they need, and trust must be put on them to deliver.
What we hear: The team must get high-level work, and since they are Agile, they will be able to deliver by the end of a hectic sprint. On the other hand, diligent monitoring must be done on every strand of the work as well as on every person to find out their failures.
What it means: Agile teams have to be constructed around motivated people. If they get the support needed to carry out the job, then they won’t need any form of micromanagement.
Principle 6: The most effective and efficient way of sending information within and to a development team is by talking face to face.
What we hear: Let everyone talk and then decide what they want to do. There’s no need to keep track of their communications
What it means: In any communication, face to face talking gets the point across. Making use of such interactions to be on the same page will be beneficial for the entire team.
Principle 7:The first measure of progress is working software.
What we hear: The increasing functionality of the software is displayed in every sprint. So there’s just no need even to set up or make use of any other form of metric.
What it means: The gradual progress of the Agile release, project, sprint, and team can be depicted through the working software released. There are other metrics of measurement as well, like the burndown chart, the defect metrics, release burn up as the coverage percentages. All these can help in tracking the project stage and health as time goes on.
Principle 8: Agile processes help with sustainable development. The developers, sponsors, and users should maintain a constant pace for an indefinite time.
What we hear: Agile means to be fast, so the only way is to always keep on running.
What it means: The speed of the Agile team must not get wasted. It should instead be conserved so that it is sustainable. It should be neither be too slow nor too fast. The team should be able to work continuously for months at a time at the same pace with which it started. But the team should also ensure that it is taking care of the quality, all the while remaining motivated and taking care of personal growth.
Principle 9:Regular attention must be paid to good design and technical excellence so that it increases agility
What we hear: The experts should be the only ones in charge of making sure that the designs are the best. The rest of the team will follow it.
What it means: To ensure that the best quality products are being produced, agility requires constant attention. People need to consider techniques, ideas, and tools at every level of creating the software.
Principle 10:Simplicity is essential- The way of maximizing the total amount of work not done.
What we hear: To carry out the bare minimum and not pay attention to tasks like documentation, reviews, and recording.
What it means: One needs to break down the task allotted to the team. But the main focus should always be on the software quality. If there’s anything that slows down the speed of the team, then it should be lessened. This includes making use of complicated tools, too many levels of bureaucracy as well as carrying out exhaustive levels of documentation. In the end, it’s essential to do even the minimum, but it shouldn’t distract from the crucial tasks at hand.
Principle 11:Self organized teams come up with the best requirements, architecture as well as designs
What we hear: The Agile team should be working on the designs, developments, and requirements all alone.
What it means: To construct a fully motivated team and then let them brainstorm ideas. They must be supported from the outside, but trust should also be there that they will get the job done.
Principle 12:At periodic intervals, the team reflects on how they can be more effective and then tune and adjust it to their behavior accordingly.
What we hear: The team talks about their problems and processes after they carry out each sprint. They then offer suggestions or any improvements that can be made.
What it means: The team must discuss their problems, processes, improvements, and suggestions at the end of every sprint. Then these points are gathered together so that the next sprint is improved. The team can learn from the past and improve continuously. There must be one such discussion at the end of the whole sprint, which must be done in a safe, encouraging, and inclusive environment.
Following these twelve steps and what they mean will help in making your business better and more successful with a strong working team.
Unnati Vaidya
Unnati Vaidya is a freelancer Content Writer and SEO generalist. She is an enthusiastic reader of Novels and a big fan of watching Sci-fi movies and seasons!