From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word ‘Agile’ is an adjective describing someone who (or something that) has a quick, resourceful and adaptable character and is marked by the ready ability to move with quick and easy grace. Therefore, the term ‘Agile software development’ or ‘Agile software methodologies’ is used to refer to a category of software development methodologies with the agile property — the processes can quickly switch direction or adapt to new information. In line with this, Highsmith (2002) gave a well-accepted definition of agility ‘the ability to both create and respond to change in order to profit in a turbulent business environment’. Extreme Programming (XP) is an example that happens to belong under the agile methodologies category. There are many others as well. However, they have not received as much popularity and attention as XP has.

The Agile Alliance is a non-profit organization formed in 2001 by the originators and practitioners of a number of methodologies that share the same values. The values they share are shown below.

• Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
• Working software over comprehensive documentation
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
• Responding to change over following a plan

Agile Alliance — To satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software