How to be Agile?

I have came across a very interesting question lately, i.e. how to be Agile?

Well, if you are just looking at the surface meaning of Agile, it just means being flexible. Business would enjoy great benefit if they could have an IT team that allow them to respond to change.

However, if you look deeper into the Agile manifesto and principles, you will notice that it is very much related to Lean Principles. Which, the primary of Lean Principle is eliminating waste.

So, my typical answer to those question is, if you truly wanted to be Agile, you have to practice Zen thinking as individual and adopt Zen culture in your corporation. But why do I say so?

Practicing Zen allow you to grasp a better understanding of what is "Value", and value is at the center of the entire Agile spirit and methodology.

Let's look at the Agile Manifesto:

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

Working software over comprehensive documentation

Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

Responding to change over following a plan

If you notice, being Agile means we really need to concentrate on the things that really matter. Not the noise which commonly overwhelm the attention.

Abby has some more points in his post regarding this thought which is similar in line.

http://hackerchick.com/agile-vs-lean-yeah-yeah-whats-the-difference/