High-performance projects, such as software development, product development, and others, can greatly benefit from using the Agile methodology. However, for many, this term still sounds a bit abstract.

If you have heard about or have been broadly explained this methodology but still have many questions about its foundations and implementation, here we explain it in detail.

What is Agile Methodology?

This methodology is a set of effective practices designed to enable efficient and high-quality project delivery. It also ensures that the project development aligns with the client’s needs and the company’s goals.

Its approach is broad and based on iterations (repeating a process with a fixed objective) in small parts of the project, aiming to achieve a high and consistent level of quality improvements.

Four key values of Agile

• Individuals and interactions are prioritized over processes and tools.
• Working software is given higher priority than comprehensive documentation.
• Customer collaboration is preferred over contract negotiation.
• Responding to change is more important than following a fixed plan.

The 12 principles of Agile

The Agile methodology, according to a popular anecdote, originated when 17 software developers in Utah sought to discover better ways to deliver software. They eventually created the Agile Manifesto, which outlined key values and 12 principles:

1. Achieving customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
2. Welcoming changing requirements, even late in development.
3. Delivering working software frequently, with a preference for the shorter timescale.
4. Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.
5. Building projects around motivated individuals, giving them the environment and support they need, and trusting 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.

How to apply Agile Methodology in your company or project?

According to HubSpot, you can follow these six steps:

1. Identify your business objectives

First and foremost, define what you expect this methodology to achieve and how it will help your organization.

2. Analyze your organization’s culture

Analyze the working relationship of all involved. Transparent communication and leadership play a vital role within your team, especially in this methodology.

3. Identify the potential impact on your customers

Ask yourself what the best experience for your customers would be with this project, what impact it would have on their lives, and how it could improve the relationship between the company and the customer. This will help establish important project points and goals.

4. Inventory your company’s resources

Determine if you have the necessary people, technology, infrastructure, and suppliers to carry out the project effectively.

5. Seek support from leaders

Implementing a new Agile project management approach represents a paradigm shift, affecting processes, personnel, and how technology is used. Therefore, it is important to involve the company’s leaders and experts from the beginning of the transition to this new modality, as they can support you.

6. Implement Agile processes

Finally, it is time to implement. Remember, there are different types of frameworks based on this methodology (Scrum, Kanban, XP, etc.), so it is important to choose the one that best fits your organization and its needs.

Sources: HubSpot y Actio Software

This article has been translated using AI and may include errors.