Agile Method: everything you need to know about the way of working

The Agile methodology has become an integral part of modern organisations. It is a way that helps teams work quickly. They can deliver value rapidly and continuously improve.

But what exactly is the definition of Agile? What does an agile process actually entail? And how do you successfully apply this way of working within your team or organisation?

In this blog, we take you into the world of Agile. We explain where the methodology comes from.

We describe how it works in practice. We also discuss which frameworks you can use, such as Scrum or Kanban. In addition, we look at why more and more companies, even outside the IT sector, are choosing this flexible way of working.

What is the Agile method?

he Agile method is a flexible way of working together, where teams work in short iterations, continuously incorporate feedback, and can quickly adapt to changes. Instead of creating large project plans in advance, Agile focuses on delivering value step by step.

Teams work on small components, test them, learn from them, and continuously improve. This leads to better products, faster delivery, and greater control over the process.

Agile is the opposite of traditional methods such as the waterfall method. In waterfall, a complete plan is drawn up first, which is then carried out step by step. There is little room for change, even if circumstances do change. This often leads to frustration, delays, and waste.

Agile breaks that pattern.

You plan, build, test, learn, and continuously adjust. This way, you remain flexible and maintain control, even in dynamic environments.

How did the Agile method originate?

The Agile method began in 2001 when seventeen software developers created the Agile Manifesto. They were fed up with the slow, inflexible way of developing software. The world was changing too quickly for rigid project plans.

Their solution?

A new way of working, based on:

• people and collaboration
• rapid delivery
• flexibility
• continuous improvement

Due to its success in IT, Agile quickly spread to other fields. Today, Agile is used by teams in marketing, sales, education, logistics, R&D, and even government.

So Agile is by no means just for software.

It is both a mindset and a way of working that can be applied anywhere.

The four core values of Agile

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

-> The focus is on good communication and collaboration between people. This is more important than strictly following procedures or blindly relying on tools.

2. Working software over comprehensive documentation

-> Results count more than paperwork. Of course, documentation is important, but the goal is a working product that delivers value.

3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

-> Agile promotes an active relationship with the customer, in which feedback and collaboration take centre stage. Not just agreements on paper.

4. Responding to change over following a fixed plan

-> Instead of sticking to a strict planning, teams are encouraged to be flexible. This allows them to better respond to new insights or changing circumstances.

The twelve principles of Agile emphasise customer satisfaction, sustainable development and technical quality. There are also self-organising teams and regular reflection. These principles provide practical implementation of the core values. They offer guidance for the daily actions of Agile teams.

The twelve Agile principles are:

1. The highest priority is customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in the process.
3. Deliver working software frequently, preferably within a few weeks.
4. Daily collaboration between business people and developers is essential.
5. Build projects around motivated individuals and give them the trust they need.
6. Face-to-face communication is the most effective method of conveying information.
7. Working software is the primary measure of progress.
8. Agile processes promote a constant, sustainable development pace.
9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
10. Simplicity – maximising the amount of work not done – is essential.
11. The best results emerge from self-organising teams.
12. Teams regularly reflect on how to become more effective and adjust their behaviour accordingly.

In essence, Agile is not about one specific method. It is about a mindset of adaptability, collaboration and customer focus. The combination of core values and principles helps teams to keep learning. This enables them to deliver faster and create better products or services.

How does an Agile process work?

A typical Agile process consists of short, repeatable work cycles. These are called sprints. During these sprints, teams aim to deliver value quickly. Such a process is characterised by:

• Iterative working: each product is built and improved in small parts.
• Cross-functional teams: teams consist of various areas of expertise.
• Continuous feedback: regular evaluation with stakeholders.
• Transparency and visibility: tasks and progress are visible to everyone.

Phases within an Agile process:

1. Product backlog: all desired functionalities are collected.
2. Sprint planning: the team selects work that is achievable within one sprint.
3. Daily stand-ups: short daily team meetings of max. 15 minutes.
4. Sprint review: presentation of the work to stakeholders.
5. Sprint retrospective: team reflection to improve the process.

At vPlan, we support Agile teams with a visual planning tool. These tools fit well with the various phases: from backlog to real-time progress.

Agile planning: this is how it works

Agile planning differs from traditional planning. You don't plan everything in advance, but work based on priorities and evolving insights.

Characteristics of Agile planning:

• you plan per sprint or iteration
• you work with a backlog that is continuously updated
• work is divided into small, manageable components
• you take capacity and a realistic scope into account
• the planning adapts flexibly to changes

With modern Agile planning tools such as vPlan, you can make the planning visual and transparent for the whole team. Think in terms of boards, timelines, swimlanes, and real-time status updates.

Agile methodologies: Scrum, Kanban, and more

The Agile methodology is an overarching approach that can be implemented in various ways. The most popular methods are:

1. Scrum

Scrum is the most widely used Agile methodology. It has clearly defined roles, such as Scrum Master and Product Owner. There are fixed routines, such as stand-ups and sprint reviews. The sprints are short, lasting from 1 to 4 weeks.

Scrum is ideal for teams building complex products and wanting to iterate quickly.

2. Kanban

In Kanban, tasks are visually displayed on a board with columns such as "to do", "in progress" and "done". There are no fixed sprints, but work is carried out continuously based on available capacity.

Kanban is suitable for operational teams that handle ongoing work, such as support or maintenance.

3. Lean Agile

Lean Agile combines principles from the Lean philosophy with Agile. The focus is on eliminating waste and maximising customer value. This approach is popular in production environments, logistics and healthcare.

4. SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework)

SAFe is designed for large organisations that want to scale Agile across multiple teams. It provides structure for portfolio, programme and team level within organisations.

Why choose Agile?

The benefits of the Agile method are widely recognised:

• ✅ Greater customer satisfaction: through continuous involvement and rapid delivery.
• ✅ Faster time-to-market: products or features are launched more quickly.
• ✅ Improved collaboration: thanks to transparency and self-organising teams.
• ✅ Higher motivation: employees have more autonomy and influence.
• ✅ Faster learning and improvement: through frequent feedback loops.

For organisations looking to modernise their project approach, Agile is therefore not a trend, but a strategic choice.

Agile and vPlan: how we support your way of working

At vPlan, we believe in the power of Agile. Our platform aligns with the workflow of Agile teams:

• Plan sprints and tasks using clear timelines.
• Use filters, notifications and tasks to keep teams on track.
• Gain insight into the status of your work.

You can work with Scrum, Kanban or your own Agile process. vPlan supports you with planning and progress.

In short: What makes Agile… Agile?

The Agile methodology is more than a set of rules: it is a culture of collaboration, learning and improvement. By applying Agile properly, you build agile teams that respond quickly to change and deliver real value to customers.

Agile is a way of working in which teams deliver value step by step, continuously improve and respond flexibly to changes – with a focus on collaboration, feedback and customer orientation. 

Would you like to experience what Agile working with vPlan looks like? Try vPlan free for 14 days and discover the difference for yourself.