Thoughts on the Agile Manifesto
The Agile Manifesto is the foundation upon which our beloved frameworks rest. It’s the basis for why we do what we do. It’s there to keep us grounded, to keep us honest, and to encourage us when we’re questioning what we’re doing. It’s the culmination of finding the core of what other people have been doing that works. It has stood the test of time because it sits at the base and is the truth that bleeds through all of its resulting frameworks. It’s a distillation of the essence that the disparate methods relied upon. From Scrum to Lean, to Kanban, and even SAFe, these frameworks and methods are all cut from the same cloth.
The beauty of the Manifesto is in how it was born. I don’t know if the same thing could happen in this age of fracture and Twitter fighting. We live in a time where it’s not only fashionable but profitable, to dig in our heels and “take a stand” for what we believe, rather than finding common ground and seeking to work within that nuance. The Manifesto was created in 2001 when a handful (or three) came together to bring their perspectives to the table and find where they agreed through the areas where they may not. They found it valuable to see through the details to get to the bigger picture. Much like when we look through a Magic Eye image, they were able to filter out the noise and generate the raw material that fueled their success.
While we walk through the Agile Manifesto, I want us to keep in mind what the intent and implications are of each value and principle. What is trying to be communicated in these short but rich sentences? Why may they have chosen the words they chose? What are they NOT saying? What is between the lines that we must infer? And, how are the related frameworks supported by this foundation?
I want us to think beyond the process and the tools, and dive deep into the heart of philosophy. To look past the specifics and recognize the value each tool brings to enable us to embody these values and principles, to not only deliver valuable solutions to our customers but to empower the people that are building those solutions to feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and value. Because at the end of the day, we’re all people, and we’re all in this together.
This is important for us to model, in our projects and in our personal lives. Look beyond what is on the surface and you’ll see what is beneath, fertile and ready for planting.
