The 12 Agile Principles

1. User Satisfaction

Satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.

2. Welcoming Change

Accept and integrate changes, even in advanced stages of development, to ensure a competitive advantage for the customer.

3. Frequent Delivery

Deliver working software frequently, preferably within short timeframes — days or weeks.

4. Continuous Collaboration

Business and developers must work together daily throughout the project.

So far, Agile shifts focus from rigid processes and static plans to a dynamic, collaborative approach.
Customer satisfaction, flexibility, and frequent delivery improve value and reduce the risk of unmet expectations.

5. Motivated People Support

Build projects around motivated individuals, providing them with the support, tools, and autonomy they need.

6. Face-to-Face Communication

The most effective method of conveying information within a team is direct conversation.

7. Working Software

Progress is measured through working software.

Agile focuses on operational and customer-usable functionality as an indicator of progress.
Avoid false perceptions of progress (e.g., code developed but not tested or integrated).

8. Keep a Steady Pace

Agile promotes sustainable development, where sponsors, developers, and users can maintain a constant pace indefinitely.

Excessive pace leads to burnout, reducing quality and morale.
Realistic goals ensure consistent, high-quality productivity.

So far, these principles reinforce the importance of motivated teams, effective communication, incremental delivery, and balanced pace management.
Applying these principles improves collaboration, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

9. Technical Excellence

Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design improves agility.

Avoid shortcuts that cause errors or require rework.
Design and technical quality are key to long-term success.

10. Simplicity

Focus only on activities that add value.
Avoid unnecessary complexity.

Simplicity improves efficiency and value — working smarter, not harder.
The art of maximizing the amount of work not done is essential.

11. Self-Organized Teams

The best requirements and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.

Autonomous and motivated teams produce better solutions.
Agile promotes horizontal management, team autonomy, and collective ownership.
This approach speeds up decision-making and increases effectiveness.

12. Reflect and Adapt

The team reflects regularly to improve effectiveness and adapts its behavior accordingly.

Regular reviews of processes and priorities improve flexibility and efficiency.
Analyzing issues — such as unmet expectations — improves future planning and execution.

So, Agile encourages technical quality, simplicity, team autonomy, and continuous improvement.
These principles help teams work effectively, respond to customer needs, and adapt to change.