Agile Manifesto Principles: What to Evaluate Before Hiring Your Team

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about the Agile Manifesto, emphasizing its importance in the software development process. We started by explaining the movement that gave rise to this document and its core values. Then, we introduced the 12 principles of the Manifesto and shared our perspective on the first six.

Now, to wrap up this series, we’ll present the remaining six principles and show you why they’re essential to consider before hiring software development services.

The principles of the Agile Manifesto are not only for developers and project managers—they’re for everyone involved in a project, starting with the client. When a software project is guided by these principles, both the development process and the effectiveness of the final product are positively impacted.

So, throughout the process, the team must be aligned internally and with the client—and the client, in turn, must keep the lines of communication open. This way, clients save time in delivery and benefit from a level of quality that helps prevent future disruptions in system use.

Working Software is the Primary Measure of Progress

Rather than presenting a static prototype for design approval once it’s completed, Agile development prioritizes delivering small, functional pieces of the software. This allows features to be tested within the proposed design context, enabling more consistent adjustments while development is still underway.

After all, a client might like the proposed design, but without seeing the software in action, it’s impossible to assess the most important thing: how well the system performs its intended functions. So, if you’re looking to hire a team to develop your company’s software, pay close attention to how the professionals work—before signing a contract!

Developers and Clients Must Maintain a Consistent Pace

Agility in software development relies on commitment and consistency from both the developers and the client overseeing the project. Developers should break the work into smaller tasks and keep up the delivery rhythm, while the client must be available to provide necessary feedback and information.

The synergy among all project participants also affects the developers’ work pace and the client’s response time. That’s why, in addition to hiring professionals who practice sustainable development, it’s essential to make yourself available and help maintain consistency throughout the project.

Technical Excellence and Good Design Enhance Agility

While working software takes priority over documentation and mockups, the Agile principles do not downplay the importance of design. On the contrary—they make it easier to quickly identify areas for improvement to make the product more attractive and intuitive for the user.

Continual focus on technical excellence and good design increases the quality of each delivery, reduces rework, and speeds up development. So, alongside having a skilled team, don’t forget to share your impressions as a client when evaluating each part of the software. Your feedback enriches the entire project!

Maximize the Amount of Work Not Done

You’ve probably heard the saying “less is more” somewhere before. That’s the essence of minimalism, which, according to the Michaelis dictionary, means: “A tendency toward reducing and simplifying the elements that make up a whole.” This same concept inspired one of the Agile Manifesto’s core principles: “Simplicity—the art of maximizing the amount of work not done—is essential.”

It may be obvious that doing less speeds up delivery, but it might seem counterintuitive to think that doing less also results in better quality. Yet that’s exactly what happens when software development focuses on outcomes that benefit the client and the end user—replacing unnecessary protocol with what actually needs to be done. Simplified solutions also minimize usability problems and reduce the need for bug fixes.

The Best Results Come from Self-Organizing Teams

A well-developed software product doesn’t depend solely on skilled individuals—it relies on the synergy among all team members and their ability to organize and work collaboratively. Since all areas of development are interconnected, even issues in isolated phases can affect the whole project.

Therefore, flexibility in collaboration and the ability of team members to adapt to each project stage are crucial! As the second-to-last Agile principle states, “The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.” Once again, we see how vital synergy is for efficient and functional Agile development.

The Team Regularly Reflects on How to Become More Effective

Finally, the twelfth principle of the Agile Manifesto ensures the team is continuously improving. The idea is that, at regular intervals, the team should reflect on how things are going and look for ways to become more effective.

This practice helps maintain team cohesion and creates space for fresh insights. It’s when development strategies are refined, and each professional adjusts their approach to meet the project’s evolving needs.

If you’re looking for a team like this to develop software for your company, get in touch with us!

By Joana Kerr