Agile is becoming one of the most spoken buzzword in the field of IT, software development and project management; and is becoming a fast-track ticket to many new positions. You name it – Agile methodology, Agile development, Agile project management.
Dictionary defines Agile as : 1. quick and well-coordinated in movement; 2. active; lively; 3. marked by an ability to think quickly; mentally acute or aware. Is it the formula to get a project or software product done quicker, with well-coordinated and lively team?
Around 2001, a reformation moment arrived in sotware engineering with the Agile Manifesto and declaration of Agile Alliance, and it was posted as :
“We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value:
0 individiduals and interactions over processes and tools
o working software over comprehensive documentation
o customer collaboration over contract negotiation
o responding to changes over following a plan
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more”
Associated with Agile is often a term called SCRUM, where a 2-day or so training orientates you with the roles and the activities to 2-week release cycles called SPRINT. Would the SCRUM SPRINT get you closer to the Agile Manifesto? I think it depends – it enables interactions and responding to changes, but is it an obvious formula to produce working software, or enable customer collaboration?
In the area of project management, if your previous experiences do not name the way of doing it as Agile, does it mean that you are out of the door of all Agile-related positions? Many organizations value the items on the left more, it is worthwhile to compare your way of getting things done against the Agile Manifesto. Maybe you are closer to Agile than what you think; and that you bring good techniques on how to achieve collaboration, interactions and responding to changes.
oliviatamccue 
Agile is a new word to me! This had not come to the financial services world yet but I am sure it could be here anytime. The buzz words in the workplace that I Am familiarwith are still
……collaboration, proactivity, efficiency and cost savings!