What is Agile? — UK Software Development Guide
Direct Answer
Agile is a set of principles and practices for software development that prioritises iterative delivery, collaboration, and adaptability over rigid upfront planning. The Agile Manifesto (2001) states four values: individuals and interactions over processes and tools; working software over comprehensive documentation; customer collaboration over contract negotiation; responding to change over following a plan.
Agile in the UK
Agile is mandated by the UK Government Digital Service (GDS) for all central government digital services. The GDS Service Standard (Point 7) requires "use agile ways of working" with short delivery cycles, regular demos, and continuous improvement. In commercial UK software development, Scrum is the dominant agile methodology — 2-week sprints, daily standups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives. Most UK software agencies claim to be agile; the meaningful difference is whether they genuinely deliver working software at the end of every sprint and use feedback to adjust priorities.
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