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Agile Manifesto

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The Agile Manifesto is a seminal document in Agile Project Management, which comprises four key values and twelve principles. The manifesto gives priority to individuals and interactions over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contract negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan. This concept encourages flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction over strict adherence to plans and processes.

Guide to the Agile Manifesto

The Agile Manifesto was developed by a group of software developers to streamline the process of software development. It emphasises on the value of individuals and interactions over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contract negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan.
Its importance lies in its ability to enhance software development process by prioritizing customer satisfaction, encouraging frequent delivery of software, promoting sustainable development pace, and enhancing technical excellence.
To answer questions about the Agile Manifesto in an exam, remember that it emphasizes people, collaboration, flexibility, and the delivery of value.
Exam Tips: When answering questions on Agile Manifesto, focus on its core values - Individuals, working software, customer collaboration and responding to changes. Type of questions may revolve around case studies asking you to apply the principles of the manifesto in the given context.

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Question 1

During the project, the client asked for new specifications and changes without being clear about his needs. Based on the Agile Manifesto, what should the project manager do?

Correct Answer: Outreach to the client for a face-to-face conversation and clarification of the new needs.

According to the Agile Manifesto, 'Individuals and interactions' are valued over 'processes and tools'. Face-to-face conversation is mentioned as the best form of communication. Therefore, the project manager should outreach to the client for a face-to-face conversation and clarification of new needs. Sending an email asking for more details ('Send an email to the client asking for more details') does not promote as effective communication as a face-to-face conversation. Continuing with the original project plan and ignoring the changes ('Continue with the original project plan and ignore the changes') does not align with Agile principle of embracing change. Sending changes to the development team without clarifying them ('Send the changes to the development team without clarifying them') could lead to poor interpretation, wasted efforts, and thus deteriorating relationship with the client.

Question 2

According to the Agile Manifesto, which of the following should be valued more in software development?

Correct Answer: Responding to change over following a plan

The correct answer is 'Responding to change over following a plan.'

This aligns with one of the core values stated in the Agile Manifesto, which emphasizes flexibility and adaptability in software development.

The Agile Manifesto values:
1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
2. Working software over comprehensive documentation
3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
4. Responding to change over following a plan

While the Agile approach recognizes the items on the right have value, it values the items on the left more.

The other options are incorrect because they contradict the Agile principles:

- 'Comprehensive documentation over working software' is the opposite of what Agile promotes. Agile values working software more than extensive documentation.

- 'Contract negotiation over customer collaboration' goes against Agile's emphasis on continuous customer involvement and feedback throughout the development process.

- 'Processes and tools over individuals and interactions' contradicts Agile's focus on people and communication rather than rigid processes and tools.

These incorrect options represent more traditional, plan-driven approaches to project management, which Agile seeks to improve upon by promoting flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability.

Question 3

During a software development project, the development team has adopted Agile principles and values in their work. The team has hit a roadblock when stakeholders request a change in the project scope. What would best align with the Agile Manifesto in this situation?

Correct Answer: Collaborating with the stakeholders to understand the change request and its impact on project goals and timelines.

Collaborating with the stakeholders to understand the change request and its impact on project goals and timelines best aligns with the Agile Manifesto. The Agile Manifesto values customer collaboration over contract negotiation and responding to change over following a plan. Accepting the change request without detailed analysis goes against the Agile principle of welcoming changing requirements, even late in development, but doing so through a collaborative process with the customer to harness change for the customer's competitive advantage. Rejecting the change request to stick to the initial project plan contradicts the Agile value of responding to change over following a plan. Agile teams should be open to changes and adapt their plans accordingly. Isolating the stakeholders from the project team hinders the Agile principle of business people and developers working together daily throughout the project. Effective collaboration between the team and stakeholders is key in Agile projects.

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