Manifesto for Agile Product Development
A modern, product centric take on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development
The 2001 Agile Software Development Manifesto has significantly transformed numerous organizations. Its principles have transcended beyond software, becoming relevant to all forms of product development. Initially, it tackled key challenges within the software industry, but its applicability has broadened over time. The manifesto now requires an update to focus more on general product development, moving away from its software-centric origins. Below is a modernized version of this manifesto, articulated in simple, everyday language for today's business product development context.
Manifesto for Agile Product Development
Our mission is to find better ways of making and delivering our products (or services). We learn by doing and by helping others do the same.
Our experience has shown us the importance of:
People and teamwork over strict methods and tools: Great products are made by great teams, not just by following procedures or using fancy equipment. We believe in the power of collaboration, creativity, and innovation.
Deliver a working product over lots of paperwork: We focus on delivering a product to our customers that works, instead of getting bogged down in creating detailed documents.
Partnering with customers rather than enforcing contracts: We see our customers as partners in this journey. It’s more about working together to achieve common goals than just sticking to the terms of a contract.
Adapting to new ideas over sticking to a set plan: We innovate by embracing change and new opportunities. Being flexible and open to new ideas is more important than just following a fixed plan.
Principles
These key principles shape how we work and behave:
Customer Satisfaction: Always aim to make the customer happy by delivering good products quickly and regularly.
Embrace Changes: Be open to changing your plans, even if it's late in development, to give the customer an edge in the market.
Frequent Delivery: Try to finish and deliver parts of your product often, ideally every few weeks or less.
Team Collaboration: People from all parts of the business should work closely together every day.
Empower People: Choose motivated people for your product development, give them what they need, empower them, and trust them to get the job done.
Talk it Out: The best way to share ideas and information in a team is by having conversations in person.
Focus on Delivery: The main sign of progress is delivering a working product, not plans or documents.
Don’t burn out: Everyone involved should be able to keep working at a healthy pace without burning out.
Strive for Excellence: Always pay attention to quality and good design to stay flexible and efficient.
Keep It Minimal: Focus on what’s necessary and try to avoid unnecessary work.
Self-Managed Teams: The best plans, designs, and ways of working often come from teams that are empowered to manage themselves.
Always Improving: Regularly take time to think about how everyone involved can work better and then make the necessary changes.
References
Manifesto for Agile Software Development, 2001. Available at: https://agilemanifesto.org/