Too often, business owners forget that their employees are professionals who take pride in their work (this is especially true in any creative role). If you build your from your product backlog.projects projectsBy setting work in progress limits (WIP limits), the entire team can quickly see if there is a blockage and collaborate to fix it. Setting WIP limits eliminates multi-tasking, which is the ultimate productivity killer. around people who aren’t motivated to succeed, they Owners and managers need to create an environment that rewards success, fosters healthy working relationships and helps improve employees’ work/life balance. Give developers the tools and motivation to succeed and you’ll be rewarded with easier project development and better returns on investment.

6. Better communication

Technology provides businesses a hundred different ways to communicate with employees, but none will ever be as good as face-to-face communication. 2020 has drastically changed the way we work, with more employees working remotely than ever before, businesses are becoming reliant on communication tools such as Skype and Microsoft Teams. While these might be just good enough, the changes of error do increase when teams lack fact-to-face communication. Information gets lost in translation, emails and memos get buried in inboxes etc.

The most efficient and effective method of information to and within a development is face-to-face conversation.

In other industries, this principle might be summarized as such: “A working product is more valuable than a checklist.” Requirements analysis documents, models and mock-ups may be useful, but they aren’t very useful if you can’t convert this information into a working product.

Project managers and business owners alike need to focus on minimizing paperwork and maximizing productivity. Unfinished products are inventory and inventory is an expense that provides no value.

8. Stable work environments< Agile promotes the idea of sustainable development. In short, this means that with the correct implementation of agile methods, there should never be the need for developers to work ridiculous hours just to meet deadlines.

Agile promotes the idea of sustainable development. In short, this means that with the correct implementation of agile methods, there should never be the need for developers to work ridiculous hours just to meet deadlines.

Agile requires stakeholders, customers and developers to act as one coherent team. When everyone involved feeds information into an agile framework, it becomes very easy to create accurate forecasts, budgets and timelines.< Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.

Customers tell developers what they need, stakeholders understand how changes may affect development and teams can make informed decisions as to how progress is to be made. No one is left out of the loop and no one is taken by surprise by unexpected developments.

This helps reduce stress and avoids employee ‘burn out.’<9. Quality assurance

9. Quality assurance

Many businesses prioritize speed or quantity over quality. In some cases, this makes a lot of sense. Sometimes customers don’t care as much for quality so whether or not a product works.

But, if development teams neglect quality for too long, their ability to adapt the product to suit current consumer demands diminishes and it becomes less agile.< Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.

10. Simplicity

This principle is like number 7: working software. But while the focus of that principle was about removing unnecessary documentation, this principle focuses more on processes.

This principle can be achieved in several ways. Firstly, you can remove bloated processes that do not contribute to the overall quality or progress of a project. Secondly, you can rely on automation to complete repetitive or time-consuming tasks. Or thirdly, you might use pre-existing assets from past projects rather than creating ones from scratch each time you begin something new.

This principle should be an ongoing effort. Agile teams need to recognize that there is always room for improvement. Technology provides us more varied, easier ways of doing things. Project management< research helps managers and business continuously improve their practices to suit modern trends etc. research helps managers and business continuously improve their practices to suit modern trends etc.

Being agile requires businesses hold weekly or even daily meetings. A large part of these should be dedicated towards finding new and better ways of accomplishing tasks.

11. Self-organizing teams

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

This not only minimizes the need for upper management to micro-manage development but also ensures that processes such as quality assurance and adaptation are an inherent part of agile development and thus occur naturally and autonomously.19 Feb 2026

12. Reflection and adjustment

This final principle is almost a proof-of-concept principle that indicates whether or not Understand how MoSCoW prioritisation aids Agile projects in task management. Read more to apply this method effectively.

agile methodologies have been adequately incorporated into business strategy. Reflection on past success or failures and responsibly changing approaches to compensate is what makes agile so successful. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.

Knowledge Train independently rated as a ‘Market Leader’ for AgilePM!No team acts perfectly but a mature, informed and responsible team can improve itself by taking both pro-active and reactive measures to improve development.

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Why agile principles matter Agile project management costsAlthough the 12 agile principles were developed almost 2 decades ago, they are still relevant and will likely remain relevant for a long time to come.

Although the 12 agile principles were developed almost 2 decades ago, they are still relevant and will likely remain relevant for a long time to come. Achieve four BCS certificates and work towards the international diploma. That is because the key agile principles are

That is because the key agile principles are Increase your career optionsSimon Buehringanthropocentricanthropocentric 22 Apr 2026. That is to say, they are based on human values and helps improve the quality of life in the workspace. Agile aims to improve the well-being of workers just as much as it aims to deliver high-quality products.. That is to say, they are based on human values and helps improve the quality of life in the workspace. Agile aims to improve the well-being of workers just as much as it aims to deliver high-quality products. Strengthen your CV for roles in business analysis, change, and digital transformation. Better, smoother, more efficient development means happier, less stressed workers and more satisfied customers.

Better, smoother, more efficient development means happier, less stressed workers and more satisfied customers.DeliveryInvestigate the hidden costs of AgilePM courses and learn how to avoid unexpected fees. Scroll down for detailed insights.Infographic

Infographic Compare learning options to find the format that suits you best. Below is our beautifully illustrated infographic detailing the agile principles. Perfect for anyone working on agile projects!

Below is our beautifully illustrated infographic detailing the agile principles. Perfect for anyone working on agile projects! Download and print your free poster here

Download and print your free poster here . Put it on the wall in your workplace to help your team learn the 12 agile principles.. Put it on the wall in your workplace to help your team learn the 12 agile principles.Delivery Feel free to use either of these graphics on your website, but please link back to this page so others can enjoy our free resources.

Feel free to use either of these graphics on your website, but please link back to this page so others can enjoy our free resources.Duration Subscribe to our exclusive offers and promotions