What is Agile and Why Does it Matter?
Tags: agile, scrum
Published: 2022-10-24 08:21:14


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title: What is Agile and Why Does it Matter?
published: true
description: Agile has become one of the most talked about methods for software development in recent years. Even if you don’t work in tech, you’ve probably heard someone talking about it.
tags: Agile, Scrum
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Agile has become one of the most talked about methods for software development in recent years. Even if you don’t work in tech, you’ve probably heard someone talking about it. You might even know that it has something to do with developing software, but what does that mean? What are some of the different types of Agile processes? And why does any of this matter? If you work in technology, you probably understand what it means to create software and how that process works. This article will give you a much deeper understanding of what makes it tick and why so many larger companies have started using Agile techniques to keep up with new technology and make their own processes more efficient.





##What is Agile?
Agile is a set of practices that are meant to help organizations change more quickly in response to new challenges. It’s commonly used in software development and product management, but the concepts can be applied to just about any type of organization that needs to operate efficiently in a rapidly changing environment. While it’s impossible to create a clear-cut definition of agile because it comes in many flavors and adaptations, there are a few concepts that show up in almost every definition. - Collaboration: Successful agile teams work together to solve complex problems and create great work. What wins out is a team that works together toward a common goal with mutual respect for each person’s role on the team. - Agility: This refers to the ability to respond quickly to changing conditions and create work that is timely and valuable. Organizational agility requires strict and regular reflection on how the team is doing, honest self-assessment, and continuous improvement. - Iterations: This is where agile and scrum intersect. An iteration is a period of time during which a team produces a set of deliverables, such as a prototype or a pilot of a product.



##Why Does it Matter?
Put simply, agile is a tool for managing risk in the face of change. The more that your team is able to adapt to the needs of your customers, the more likely you are to succeed. As the environment in which you operate changes, your ability to respond to those changes will make or break your organization. Agile can help you respond to change in several ways: Agility: being able to quickly respond to change is key to success in a rapidly changing environment. When you’re agile, you can pivot quickly to meet new demands and move past obstacles more easily. Collaboration: Collaboration is key to creating great work and building strong relationships. When your team is able to work well together, they can harness the power of collaboration to create better products, solve complex problems, and create a culture of trust and accountability. Iterations: Iterations are periods of time during which a team produces a set of deliverables, such as a prototype or pilot of a product. When your organization is organized around these periods of work, you can be more focused, productive, and efficient.



##Types of Agile Development
There are a few different types of agile development which focus on different aspects of the process. Some are more suited to certain situations than others, so it’s important to understand what each one is trying to accomplish before deciding how best to employ the agile method in your organization.



##What does an agile team look like?
While there are many different varieties of agile, they all have one thing in common: they put a lot of trust in team members to do their jobs well. While there are many different management styles, effective agile management is built on trust. The team itself is the first level of agile organization, and they are responsible for creating their own processes and solving their own problems. Each team member has his or her role, and they are expected to fulfill that role as well as they can. This is the level of organization in which a stronger work ethic and genuine commitment to excellence make all the difference. The next level of organization is the department or group level. In this level, the team is managed by a scrum master or project manager. This manager has the job of helping the team do their work as effectively as possible and removing roadblocks that get in the way of productivity.



##Agile at scale - Continuous Delivery
As companies have begun to implement agile at scale, they’ve started to realize that their development teams can’t produce work at the same rate that their customers demand it. In many cases, it takes too much time to design and build a new feature, get it through an approval process, and get it out to customers. This is where agile transitions from being a tool for product development to an organizational philosophy. Agile becomes continuous delivery when teams embrace a philosophy of continuous improvement, manage their work with an extreme focus on customer value, and learn to release their work as soon as it’s ready.



##Final Words: Is Agile Right for You?
Consider what agility will mean to your organization. If your team is bogged down by unnecessary red tape or if you have a hard time reacting to customer demands, agile may be the solution to your problems. If you decide to adopt an agile method, remember that it is not a magic cure-all. It is a set of practices and principles that you must implement effectively before you see results. With the right implementation, agile can help you respond to change, build better products, and create better work for your customers.