By: Alessandro Viassone
Previous research shows that Agile refers to an umbrella term developed in the software industry in which work models are represented (Beck et al. 2001; Cockburn and Highsmith 2001; Coram and Bohner 2005; Sanjiv Augustine et al. 2005; Leybourne 2009; Cervone 2010; Conforto and Amaral 2014). These processes are based on iterative and incremental itinera through self-managed teams having cross-functional competencies. Professionals have redesigned the collaboration in the workplace, adopting Agile within the software development area.
Takeuchi and Nonaka (1986) are the first scholars introducing a rough concept of agilism in 1986. However, the term “Agile” was coined by Lehigh University’s scholars in 1991 and recognized in 2001 with the Agile Manifesto (Beck et al. 2001). Agile has arisen due to the requirement to overcome traditional project management assumptions having their validity only in exceptional situations and to cope with uncertain, complex and turbulent conditions through the adoption of more flexible and “light weighted” approaches.
Four primary core values and twelve principles were formalized from this position available on https://agilemanifesto.org/. Agile practices have faced a strong development momentum in the past decade, especially in the IT sector where it enables to improve software development risk management due to its high adaptability and human-centric emphasis. In comparison with traditional approaches, adaptive methodologies are considered improved performers increasing productivity, quality, collaboration, customer satisfaction, and reducing costs. Agile practices emphasize on risk minimization by focusing on short iterations that allow the team to work on deliverables with defined requirements and constraints, and on direct communication with stakeholders during the whole development progression in the development process avoiding copious project documentation. Utilizing only frameworks, guidelines and values rather than specific and rigid rules to follow, the Agile value is the constant updating of processes considering the environmental changes.
