Agile has lost its spark.

What once drove innovation is now mired in superficial processes and empty rituals, stripping teams of the creativity and agility that defined its early days. I’ve seen this decline firsthand.

As Agile gained traction after its debut in 2001, it became a buzzword.

Large companies started packaging it into rigid frameworks, certifications, and methodologies, often losing sight of Agile’s core values of flexibility, collaboration, and craftsmanship.

By 2008, I witnessed Agile morphing into a cumbersome, process-heavy approach, more focused on ticking boxes than solving real customer problems.

That’s when I decided to step back and reassess, leading me back to lean principles. After all, Agile was inspired by lean, so why not return to the roots?

Agile was never just about delivering features faster; it was about creating sustainable, scalable products that provide long-term value to customers.

On my journey/experience back to the basics, I discovered something even more crucial.

Building great products isn’t just about the software or design; it’s about honing the skills of the people behind them.

The lean mantra captures it perfectly: “build people before you build products.”

Companies thrive or falter based on the everyday decisions of everyone, not just the leaders.

When individuals continuously improve their judgment, refine their craft, and find smarter solutions, the results are clear: better products, better decisions, and a company that truly excels.

Do you share this sentiment? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.👇

#agile

#projectmanagement