“100% Agile” does not exist
Every time you hear the phrase “this is not Agile” or “we don’t want to be 100% Agile” it is an indication that the meaning of Agile is not fully understood. Let’s take the time to dive into this.
What is Agile?
Agile comes from the Agile Manifesto coined in 2001 by a couple of thought leaders. The manifesto lists a set of values and principles, that are by nature very fuzzy. They describe a mindset and not a set of frameworks or practices. There are so-called “Agile” frameworks and methods that can be applied and support the values and principles of the Agile Manifesto. They are compatible with the manifesto and hence compatible with Agile. But by just following the frameworks you wont achieve an Agile completion rate. If you follow the framework rules to 100%, then this does not mean you are 100% Agile.
Agile is an organisational trait
We can better understand what Agile mean, if we describe it as a trait of an organisation. It means that an organisation is able to react on some event occurring in the environment, as quickly as possible and at minimal cost. This has implications on the ways of working, the collaboration, the structures and also the mindset of the people. In order to get there you have to invest into the improvement of your organisation.
Agile is a perfection vision
But if we want to be able to respond to anything that occurs, it means there are endless number of things that could happen. And to react quickly means that we ideally should minimise this feedback time to zero. And to minimise the costs means that ideally these cost should be zero.
No organisation will ever reach this ideal state and hence Agile describes a perfection vision.
But Agile is a journey
If we can never reach it, why should be pursue it. Because the more Agile an organisation, the better it is equipped for the uncertainty and complexity of todays world. And the better is can create innovative solutions that help the organisation to survive.
Since it is a perfection vision, the organisation is either on the route towards it or it gets of treck. If you don’t pursue the improvement towards Agile, there are natural forces, like fear, greed and egoism, that lead to decay of this organisational trait.
