What is Agile methodology exactly?
Agile methodology is a set of principles more so than a distinct set of rules or guidelines. Agile practices are constantly evolving, and different organizations employ different versions of Agile development.
At its heart, Agile is about getting all the stakeholders involved in creating software to think differently about the development process. Agile encourages more effective collaboration to produce software with greater speed and higher quality, and to ensure that the customer receives a product that meets or exceeds their wishes.
The core values of Agile methodology include:
- A focus on people rather than processes and tools
- An iterative approach that values a working piece of software over detailed documentation
- An emphasis on ongoing collaboration with customers rather than the details of a fixed contract
- A need to adapt and respond to change rather than sticking to a detailed plan