The Agile Manifesto is a foundational document in software development that outlines the core values and guiding principles of Agile methodologies. Written in 2001 by a group of experienced software developers and thought leaders, the manifesto emerged as a response to the limitations of traditional development approaches like Waterfall, which were often rigid, slow, and documentation-heavy. The Agile Manifesto promotes a more flexible, adaptive, and collaborative approach to software development, focusing on delivering functional software frequently and iteratively.

The manifesto is built around four core values:

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools: This emphasizes the importance of human collaboration and communication in a project, recognizing that effective teamwork and problem-solving are more critical to success than strictly adhering to predefined processes or relying on tools.

Working software over comprehensive documentation: While documentation is important, the primary goal is to deliver functional software that meets user needs. Agile teams focus on creating usable products rather than spending excessive time on documentation that may quickly become outdated.

Customer collaboration over contract negotiation: Agile encourages continuous collaboration with customers or stakeholders throughout the project, ensuring that their evolving needs and feedback shape the development process. This contrasts with traditional models, where the focus is on adhering to contract terms rather than actively engaging the customer.

Responding to change over following a plan: Agile values adaptability, recognizing that requirements often change as a project progresses. Rather than sticking to rigid, long-term plans, Agile teams prioritize flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to new information or shifting priorities.

In addition to these values, the Agile Manifesto outlines twelve principles that provide further guidance for Agile teams. These principles encourage practices like delivering working software frequently, maintaining a sustainable development pace, and fostering close cooperation between developers and business stakeholders. The manifesto promotes a mindset that welcomes change and encourages continuous improvement.

Since its creation, the Agile Manifesto has had a profound impact on the software industry, serving as the foundation for various Agile frameworks, including Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP). These methodologies, each with their own practices and tools, share the manifesto’s core philosophy of iterative development, customer collaboration, and adaptability, and have become widely adopted across industries beyond software development.