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Business

What is Agile?

Last updated: January 15, 2025

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TL;DRExampleExplanationWhy It MattersRelated Terms

TL;DR

Agile is a project management approach that breaks work into small cycles, allows for changes, and delivers working software frequently.

Example

Agile vs. Waterfall:

Waterfall (traditional):

  1. Gather ALL requirements (months)
  2. Design EVERYTHING (months)
  3. Build EVERYTHING (months)
  4. Test EVERYTHING (months)
  5. Launch (finally, after 1-2 years) Problem: If requirements change, start over.

Agile: Sprint 1 (2 weeks): Build login + user profile Sprint 2 (2 weeks): Build product listing Sprint 3 (2 weeks): Build shopping cart ... Each sprint delivers working features. Can change direction after any sprint.

Key difference: Waterfall: Big bang release after everything is done. Agile: Continuous delivery of working features.

Explanation

Agile Principles

  1. Individuals over processes People matter more than tools.

  2. Working software over documentation Deliver value, not just plans.

  3. Customer collaboration over contracts Work together, don't just negotiate.

  4. Responding to change over following a plan Adapt when you learn new things.

Agile Practices

  • Sprints: Fixed time periods (1-4 weeks)
  • Daily standups: Quick team syncs
  • Retrospectives: What went well, what didn't
  • User stories: Features from user perspective
  • Backlog: Prioritized list of work

Why It Matters

For Business Owners

Agile reduces risk. You see working software every few weeks. Problems surface early, not at the end.

Agile allows you to change your mind. Market changed? Competitor launched something? You can pivot without throwing everything away.

Agile delivers value faster. Instead of waiting a year, you can launch basic features in months and iterate.

Agile requires your involvement. You'll need to review work, provide feedback, and make decisions regularly.

Signs You Need Agile

  1. Requirements are unclear or likely to change
  2. You need to get to market quickly
  3. Technology is new or experimental
  4. Stakeholder feedback is important
  5. Project is complex or innovative

Related Terms

Prototype

A prototype is an interactive model of a product that lets you click through and experience how it will work before it is built.

Scrum

Scrum is a specific Agile framework with defined roles, events, and artifacts that helps teams work together effectively.

Sprint

A sprint is a fixed time period (usually 1-4 weeks) during which a development team works to complete a set amount of work.

MVP

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of a product that you can launch to test if people actually want it.

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