Agile
Agile
A development approach that adapts flexibly to changing requirements and builds features incrementally in short cycles
In Simple Terms
Instead of locking in a perfect plan upfront, the idea is to build a little, review, then build a little more — repeating that cycle. A key strength is the ability to handle mid-course changes, like deciding to take things in a different direction partway through. For example, in app development, you might launch with just the most essential feature first, then add more based on how users respond.
Behind the Name
The word "Agile" means "quick" or "nimble." It was coined to contrast with traditional methods locked into heavy, rigid planning — the name captures the goal of responding to change fast. The term gained widespread use after the publication of the "Agile Software Development Manifesto."
Take a Closer Look!
Agile is one approach to developing systems and software.
Rather than mapping out every detail from start to finish before building anything, it works in short cycles of designing, developing, and testing — completing the product piece by piece.
With traditional methods, all specifications are locked in upfront, making mid-project changes difficult.
Agile, by contrast, involves building working software and reviewing it as you go — so if priorities shift mid-project, adapting is much easier.
In practice, the most well-known approach is to set small goals and repeat the development cycle over short periods of one to several weeks.
These periods are often called "sprints" or "iterations."
At the end of each cycle, the completed work is shared with the client or users to gather feedback and inform the next round of planning.
This approach makes it possible to prioritize the features that truly matter and reduces the risk of building things that turn out to be unnecessary.
Because business conditions can change quickly, this method — which lets teams move and adapt fast — is widely used in app and web service development.