A phrase I hear more often is, “Agile has stopped being agile.” (or worse still “Agile is dead”).

What started as a flexible, innovative approach to delivering value has, for some, become just another bureaucratic system. Organizations that set out to be more adaptive and people-focused end up feeling stuck in rigid frameworks and ceremonies.

So, what happened to Agile, and, more importantly, how can we bring agility back to Agile?

How Agile Lost Its Agility

1. Framework Overload

As Agile became mainstream, organizations sought standardized ways to implement it at scale, which led to an over-reliance on frameworks like SAFe, Scrum, and Kanban.

These frameworks, while useful in many contexts, have become treated as gospel, leaving little room for the flexibility and experimentation Agile was meant to inspire.

2. Focus on Process Over Principles

Too often, companies implement Agile rituals—stand-ups, sprints, retrospectives—without fully embracing Agile’s core principles, such as collaboration, trust, and value delivery.

The result? Process adherence takes precedence over people and outcomes, stifling the very responsiveness Agile was designed to foster.

3. Transformation Fatigue

Repeated waves of “Agile transformation” have left employees and leaders alike fatigued, even cynical.

With each new transformation initiative, enthusiasm and buy-in diminish, and Agile becomes viewed as just another set of mandates rather than a mindset shift.

4. Scaling Challenges

Scaling Agile practices across large organizations brings its own set of challenges, often leading to complex governance structures that are counterproductive to agility.

In their attempts to scale, organizations add layers of oversight and decision-making, ultimately diluting Agile’s focus on adaptability and responsiveness.

5. Metrics Misuse

Agile metrics, originally intended for team improvement, are often repurposed as tools for individual performance assessment.

This misuse leads to a “command and control” culture, undermining Agile’s essence and turning metrics into a source of pressure rather than a means for meaningful insight. I’ve seen this so often, and all too often driven by big consulting firms that truly don’t get Agile, let alone know how to measure it.

How to Make Agile Agile Again

So, what can be done to restore agility’s original intent and let Agile thrive as it was meant to? Here are a few steps we can take to bring flexibility and adaptability back to the forefront:

1. Revisit Agile’s Core Principles

It’s time for a back-to-basics approach (it works so well).

Encourage teams and leaders to return to the Agile Manifesto and its 12 principles, emphasizing outcomes over outputs, individuals over processes, and adaptability over predictability.

Agile should be about delivering value in a way that works for the organization and its people.

2. Tailor Agile to Your Context

Rather than adhering strictly to a single framework, tailor Agile practices to fit the unique context of your organization.

Don’t hesitate to blend techniques from Lean, Agile, and design thinking if they add value. Agile was always meant to be flexible; let it be so in practice.

3. Empower Teams, Not Processes

Shift focus from enforcing frameworks to empowering teams.

Agile was designed to make teams more adaptive and self-directed. Leaders can support this by fostering an environment of trust, experimentation, and continuous improvement rather than mandating specific practices.

4. Reduce Framework Dependency

Frameworks can be valuable, but they should not replace people’s brains and Agile thinking.

Let teams iterate on their processes based on what works best for them rather than enforcing a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

True agility comes from constant adaptation and reflection.

5. Create a Culture of Continuous Learning

A culture that values learning over fault-finding allows Agile to flourish.

Encourage teams to see mistakes as learning opportunities, and champion continuous improvement.

When agility is seen as a constant evolution rather than a destination, it starts to thrive and everyone benefits.

6. Optimize for Flow and Value Delivery

Identify and reduce bottlenecks, simplify workflows, and minimize handoffs that slow down delivery.

Focus on delivering value to users as quickly as possible, even if it means adjusting or moving beyond set iteration cycles.

After all, Agile is about delivering value continuously, not sticking to rigid cycles.

7. Invest in Coaching and Cultural Change

Experienced Agile coaches are invaluable in helping organizations adapt at all levels.

Experienced coaches play a pivotal role in helping organizations become more adaptive and responsive to changes. By instilling Agile principles and practices, they enable organizations to deliver better products and services more efficiently, while also fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Good coaches keep the spirit of Agile alive by challenging bureaucratic habits, facilitating team alignment, and championing a people-centered approach. They must be adaptable to different organizational cultures and challenges, providing tailored solutions that fit the specific needs of the organization. Above all, they act as role models for Agile values, guiding teams and leaders through the transformation process.

Building an Agile culture requires both practice and mindset, and coaches play a crucial role in reinforcing these.

The Road to Reinventing Agile

The solution to “Agile has stopped being agile” isn’t about inventing a new framework or tool. It’s about shifting our mindset, simplifying our practices, and focusing on Agile’s purpose: to help organizations deliver value quickly, adapt to change, and foster an empowered, engaged workforce.

If we embrace Agile as a philosophy instead of a checklist, it can once again fulfill its promise of adaptability and responsiveness.

To truly make Agile agile again, we need to strip away unnecessary layers, prioritize value, and champion Agile as a flexible mindset rather than a prescriptive methodology.

Only then can Agile return to being what it was always meant to be—a way to realize real, impactful change.