The entire software industry is in transition to an agile way of working. Thousands of companies are learning how to build healthier software development teams, how to deliver software iteratively, and how to steer projects using real feedback. To keep the code itself as agile as possible from release to release, teams are learning Test-Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Refactoring, Continuous Integration, Pair Programmming, Evolutionary Design, and many other practices. This is a lot for us all to learn. We should be patient with ourselves!

Quickly after the agile movement began, it acquired a reputation for arrogance and intolerance. But as the industry is evolving in response to the agile movement, the movement itself is learning and evolving. We are learning that like anything worthwhile, agility is a path, not a destination. We're learning that honor, respect, and compassion are penultimate on this path. We're learning that it's OK to start where you are, and make progress at your own pace, in your own way. We're also learning that agility is much bigger and more powerful than we originally thought. For more on this, check out www.holacracy.org.

If you're looking for help along your agile path, we're happy to help you with our software, our articles, and our training and coaching services. We'd love to learn as much as we can about your specific challenges and constraints, and help you customize your own approach to agility.

Whether you are a programmer, a customer, or a manager, as long as you're working, as we are, to deliver more and more business value, to build healthier teams, to have more fun, and to transcend uncertainty and fear, well then Howdy, Stranger. Welcome to the agile path.