Agile Is Dead? The Question That Won’t Go Away

Every few years, the debate flares up again—in meeting rooms, Slack threads, and LinkedIn rants: Is Agile dead? The question lingers as organizations wrestle with new technology, the realities of remote work, and an ever-growing pressure to deliver results. Some argue Agile’s moment has passed; others insist it’s simply misunderstood. But if you ask me, the truth is rarely that simple.

When I hear “Agile is dead,” I usually sense something deeper: frustration. Maybe you’ve felt it too—ceremonies that feel stale, teams just ticking boxes, momentum stalling. The data backs this up: Only 11% of Agile users call themselves “very satisfied.” A third are just “somewhat satisfied,” according to the State of Agile Report. And yet, behind the scenes, there are always teams quietly thriving—delivering value, not just ceremony, by staying true to Agile’s principles.

This isn’t another post defending “Agile” as a brand. Instead, I want to invite you to step back from the noise and ask the question that actually matters: What does it look like to truly embrace an Agile mindset today?

So let’s rewind and rediscover what made Agile powerful in the first place—and how you can reclaim that spark, no matter what tools or frameworks you use.

Rediscovering the Agile Manifesto: Principles Over Process

A while back, frustrated by the endless cycle of process tweaks and tool upgrades, I did something I hadn’t done in years—I dusted off the Agile Manifesto. It was like finding a well-loved classic on the back of your bookshelf. Reading it again felt almost rebellious—a reminder that adaptability, collaboration, and delivering real value aren’t just slogans. They’re timeless.

Here’s what struck me: The Manifesto doesn’t mention standups or sprints. Instead, it shines a spotlight on responding to change over following a plan; people and interactions over processes and tools; working software over exhaustive documentation. These aren’t just tweaks to workflow—they’re a whole new way of thinking about how we build and deliver together.

If you’re feeling stuck, try first principles thinking. Strip away the noise and ask: Are our daily habits actually aligned with what matters most? Too often, teams drift from these roots as layers of frameworks pile up until it’s hard to tell map from territory. But when the jargon fades, here’s what remains: focus on people, outcomes, and continuous improvement.

Want a real-world example? Consider how SEEK Asia transformed chaos into sustainable growth by doubling down on Agile principles after a complex merger. Their story isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about using the past as a compass for today’s challenges. The Agile mindset isn’t some artifact; it’s still a guiding star for navigating complexity now.

If this resonates, consider how revisiting the basics in your own practice can re-energize not just your team but your approach to change as well.

Where Agile Went Wrong: From Mindset to Checklist

So if the Manifesto still rings true, why do so many teams feel stuck? In my experience—and I’ve seen this firsthand—the biggest culprit is a shift from principle to process. What started out as flexibility gets reduced to checklists—rituals measured by attendance instead of intent.

Even now, in 2024, Agile continues to shape workplaces facing new hurdles. But something vital often gets lost along the way.

Agile became practice-focused…a commodity. Mainstream organizations didn’t have the patience or desire to think from first principles… They preferred to implement agile rather than evolve in an agile manner,

as highlighted by Scrum.org. That rings painfully true for a lot of teams I’ve seen.

How often have you equated “doing Agile” with holding daily standups or tracking story points? Those rituals can be useful—but when they become ends in themselves, we lose sight of what we’re actually trying to accomplish.

At its best, Agile empowers creativity and adaptability; at its worst, it’s just another bureaucratic hoop to jump through.

The most common pitfall? Prioritizing process over purpose. When teams obsess over velocity or burn rates instead of genuine value delivery, they miss the “why” behind their work. Decisions become defensive—focused on protecting the process instead of questioning assumptions or nurturing innovation.

This doesn’t happen overnight. It sneaks in—first as pressure to “look” Agile, then as metrics that turn into mandates. Before you know it, standups feel as lively as waiting-room updates.

Let me be clear: None of this was inevitable. The breakdown isn’t in the manifesto—it’s in how we’ve sometimes lost sight of its lessons.

If you recognize yourself or your team here, understand that knowing when to stop old rituals can be just as powerful as persistence—sometimes pausing is what lets genuine progress begin again.

The Agile Mindset: Delivering Value with Intention

So what does an Agile mindset really look like? It’s not about working faster or automating rituals for their own sake—it’s about delivering value with intention.

It means asking—again and again—What are we really trying to achieve? Is this process serving us—or are we serving it? Don’t skip this—it’s where things start to shift.

There’s a difference between following a framework and truly cultivating an agile mindset that enables intuitive collaboration. Adopting this mindset means experimenting—and letting go of practices that no longer serve you. Frameworks and tools are there to help—not to be worshipped. True agility lives in adapting practices to fit your context and fostering a culture where questioning is not just allowed but encouraged.

One practical approach I’ve seen work is ‘Inspect and Adapt.’ After every iteration, teams step back and review what worked (and what didn’t)—then make changes based on actual evidence. This isn’t just process—it’s continuous improvement anchored in outcomes.

People with an agile mindset crave fast feedback—because without it, you’re flying blind. Feedback loops—not ritual for its own sake—let you adjust quickly and stay aligned with what really matters.

If you find yourself stuck in cycles of self-doubt or second-guessing every step forward, learning how to reset after missing a day can foster resilience and help teams regain momentum without guilt.

And yes, this takes courage—to say “no” when old habits creep in and “yes” to tough conversations about what’s actually moving the needle. Teams willing to do this unlock new levels of creativity, trust, and impact.

Your Agile Playbook: Practical Steps to Revitalize Your Team

If you’re feeling stuck—or buried under process creep—here are some steps you can take right now:

1. Revisit the “Why”

   Block off time this week to reflect with your team: What’s our true purpose? What value does our current process create? Are we building features people love—or just shipping backlog items? Bring everyone into this conversation; you’ll be surprised by what comes up.

   For inspiration on how questioning your everyday assumptions can spark transformation, consider breaking out of your bubble—sometimes true perspective starts there.

2. Simplify Practices

   Take inventory of your rituals and tools. Which ones genuinely foster collaboration and value? Which feel like busywork? Be honest—then streamline or cut what no longer serves you. Often less is more when it comes to agility.

   As you simplify, remember that small steps lead to big breakthroughs. Progress isn’t always about grand gestures—tiny shifts in habit can transform culture over time.

3. Adapt for Your Context

   There’s no universal formula for agility. Rather than forcing a framework because “that’s how it’s done,” tailor your practices to fit your unique needs and goals. Maybe you need more predictability; maybe you need room to experiment. Own your process—don’t let it own you.

   Revitalizing agility isn’t something you do once; high-performing teams revisit these steps regularly as habits—not one-offs. This ongoing cadence keeps your practices relevant as circumstances evolve.

As you work through these steps, keep asking yourself: Are we delivering value with intention? If the answer drifts toward “no,” that’s your signal—it’s time for change.

Let’s circle back to SEEK Asia for a moment: By focusing on principles over prescription during chaotic times, they reignited team energy. Across industries, fast feedback loops lead to higher engagement and stronger customer alignment. These aren’t just case studies—they’re reminders that the basics work if we keep them alive.

Need a place to start? Try rereading the Agile Manifesto with your team this week. Choose one principle that resonates—and consciously bring it back into your daily work.

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of the Agile Mindset

Is Agile dead? Not even close. Like any powerful idea, it needs ongoing care—and honest self-reflection. When we confuse process with principle or ritual with real intent, we risk losing what made Agile revolutionary in the first place.

The true power of Agile lies in its invitation to adapt, collaborate deeply, and deliver real value—over and over again. It challenges us not only to do things differently but also to think differently: questioning assumptions, simplifying when possible, and putting outcomes ahead of outputs.

Organizations that regularly pause to check their alignment with core principles often find renewed energy and engagement. These moments of reflection aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines for sustaining meaningful agility.

If you’re ready to move beyond debate and toward genuine agility, start by reconnecting with those core values—and invite your team along for the ride. The next chapter won’t be written by another tool or framework but by your commitment to intentional value delivery.

How has your own journey with Agile evolved? Which principles have stood the test—or quietly slipped away? Take a moment this week to reflect—and maybe share your experiences with your team. You never know what fresh perspective might emerge from an honest conversation.

In the end, rediscovering the Agile mindset isn’t about going backward—it’s about staying present in your team’s unique journey. By recommitting to what matters—and giving yourself permission to adapt—you create space for real growth, resilience, and shared purpose in a world that refuses to stand still.