What is Agile and what are its core values?

Question

Accepted Answer

Agile is a **mindset for delivering software in small, frequent increments** while collaborating closely with customers and adapting to change. It is defined by the **Agile Manifesto** (2001), not by any single process. Scrum, Kanban, and XP are concrete frameworks that put Agile values into practice.

## The four values

The Manifesto states four value pairs. It values the items on the left **more**, without discarding those on the right.

```text
Individuals and interactions  OVER  processes and tools
Working software              OVER  comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration        OVER  contract negotiation
Responding to change          OVER  following a plan
```

It is backed by **12 principles** — early and continuous delivery, welcoming changing requirements, frequent delivery, daily collaboration, sustainable pace, and regular reflection.

## Concrete example

Instead of a team disappearing for six months to build a full product, an Agile team ships a thin, usable slice every two weeks, shows it to users, and adjusts the next slice based on feedback.

## Common pitfalls

- Treating Agile as "no documentation" or "no planning" — it means *just enough*, not *none*.
- Adopting ceremonies (standups, sprints) while ignoring the values behind them.

## Why it matters

Agile reduces the risk of building the wrong thing by shortening the feedback loop between idea and working software.

Interviewers ask this to check that you understand Agile as a set of values, not just a ritual you follow by rote.