I’m feeling exhilarated, recharged, and inspired after attending the Scrum Alliance panel sessions last week, observing the #AgileManifesto20thAnniversary. The free virtual conference was an excellent opportunity to learn, connect with the Agile community across the globe, reflect on how much has changed since the Agile Manifesto was written, and dream about what our future holds.
There were 3 panel sessions throughout the day that focused on the past, present, and future of Agile. The “past” panel had 7 of the original signatories of the Agile Manifesto and it was amazing to hear how these individuals succinctly articulated the values and principles that sparked the prairie fire adoption of the Agile framework after Ward Cunningham said “I’ll put a little website up”: agilemanifesto.org/. The “present” panel of course reflected on the pandemic and how the remote working situation of the last year has highlighted the value that Agile can bring to businesses around the globe by fostering improved communication and transparency across the organization. And lastly, the “future” panel discussed how Agile is no longer a revolution but the norm that enables real change for people and companies: Designing a future that is inclusive and works for Everyone, at the expense of No one.
I personally have spent the last 6 years with SPS Commerce and feel privileged to have been a part of the company’s Agile journey. SPS truly went through the forming, storming, norming and performing phases along the way and we are now practicing the SAFe framework across multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs)! The SAFe framework enables execution on the SPS Commerce values and strategic priorities which includes a frictionless customer experience and reducing systemic racism. I’m thrilled to have been part of the Agile Manifesto 20th Anniversary events and humbled to be so fortunate to work for an amazing company, in a historic time, that is actively bringing the dreams for the future to reality.
