Six years later: What the Agile Manifesto left out

The article titled “Six years later: What the Agile Manifesto left out” on exampler.com, written by Brian Marick, one of the authors, reflects on the evolution of Agile and its current challenges. Marick emphasizes that while the Agile Manifesto was a successful message for its time, focusing on customer collaboration over contract negotiation, it now faces different challenges in its execution. He notes that the values of the Manifesto, except for “individuals and interactions,” are more outward-facing and don’t firmly apply to internal team dynamics, their environment, and their code.

Marick argues that many new Agile teams are floundering, not due to a lack of speed but a lack of skill. He advocates for investing time in developing skills like refactoring and programmer testing, which require discipline. He also discusses the importance of creating working software at frequent intervals, a practice he calls “the lash of Jeffries,” after Ron Jeffries. This practice demands good execution and discipline, as sloppiness cannot be afforded.

Furthermore, Marick explores the concept of “habitability” in software, drawing parallels between how people inhabit houses and how programmers inhabit code. He suggests that making software habitable, comfortable, and easy to change should be valuable for Agile teams. Lastly, he touches on the human aspects of Agile, like joy in work and the importance of making team members feel respected and happy.

Marick concludes by expressing concern that these fundamental values are being forgotten or watered down as Agile moves into more extensive and less adventurous companies. He fears that Agile might become just another fad that fails to bring about real change without these values.

The article provides a thoughtful critique and reflection on the Agile Manifesto, highlighting the need for a renewed focus on internal team dynamics, skill development, and the human aspects of software development.

The article is “Six Years Later: What the Agile Manifesto Left Out.“