Agile methods are a family of development processes, not a single approach to
software development. In 2001, 17 prominent figures in the field of agile
development (then called "light-weight methodologies") came together at the
Snowbird ski resort in Utah to discuss ways of creating software in a lighter,
faster, more people-centric way. They created the Agile Manifesto, widely
regarded as the canonical definition of agile development, and accompanying
agile principles.
Some of the principles behind the Agile Manifesto are
Customer satisfaction by rapid, continuous delivery of useful software
Working software is delivered frequently (weeks rather than months)
Working software is the principal measure of progress
Even late changes in requirements are welcomed
Close, daily cooperation between business people and developers
Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication
Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted
Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
Simplicity
Self-organizing teams
Regular adaptation to changing circumstances
The publishing of the manifesto spawned a movement in the software industry
known as agile software development.
In 2005, Alistair Cockburn and Jim Highsmith gathered another group of people
� management experts, this time � and wrote an addendum, known as the PM
Declaration of Interdependence.
