This tutorial highlights the starting point for the Agile framework. It focuses on the essense of agile and introduces some of the Agile concepts that we have come to know. This is a very important basic that every Agile enthusiast should be aware of and understand. Your agility actually starts here.
Agile Manifesto
In 2001 a group of software engineers met together in Utah ski resort to collaborate on a framework that would only rival the waterfall method but also offer a new mindset to software development. The approach was based on four core declarations - the Agile manifesto (Original link to the manifesto) . This was a set of powerful statements to address the way we do things. Scrum, Kanban, SAFe and DSDM are all based and adhere to the manifesto, this consortium not only defined the way we embrace our agility but enabled the creation of principles based on these declarations.
"... Individuals and interactions over processes and tools ..."
"...Working software over comprehensive documentation ..."
"...Customer collaboration over contract negotiation ..."
"...Responding to Change over following a plan ..."
Agile Principles
Once the manifesto was agreed, a set of principles were created, this provided the detail on how to shape and facilitate the agile journey. The iterative, incremental feel to it, the collaborative approach towards human communication and the self-organised empiricism was embodied into this. We now had a solid base to take the principles of what was agreed at the consortium.
"...Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software..."
"...Welcoming changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customers competitive advantage..."
"...Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale..."
"...Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project..."
"...Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done..."
"...The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation..."
"...Working software is the primary measure of progress..."
"...Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely..."
"...Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility..."
"...Simplicity--the art of maximizing the amount of work not done--is essential..."
"...The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams..."
"..At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.."
House Of...
The House of ... is a tool that that illustrates how to build a structure that will support itself, Both DSDM, SAFe and Lean have a 'house structure' where the foundation comes first, and the walls must be built before the roof can be put on.