An Example of "Being Agile"

When discussing the Agile Mindset, we often talk about the difference between "doing Agile" and "being Agile."

If we're "doing Agile", we are just at the beginning of our journey. We've probably learnt about the Manifesto. Hopefully, we've had some Agile or Scrum training and now our team, who are likely to have a mix of Agile backgrounds, are working out how to apply it. Right now we're just going through the motions, learning by rote. Over time, with the guidance of our Scrum Master or Agile Coach, we'll start to understand the meaning of the Manifesto and how it applies to our everyday work.

Over time our understanding deepens, and we begin to apply the values and principles without thinking. Our tools and practices allow us to be productive, nimble, and yet, still disciplined. Rather than seeing ourselves as engineers, we see ourselves as crafts men and women. We act with pragmatism, we welcome change, and we seek to add business value at every step. Above all else, we're fully tuned to making software that people both need and find truly useful. 

If we're not there now, don't worry, we're just not there yet. To give a taste of what it feels like to be on a team who are thinking with an Agile Mindset following is an example scenario.